NSF LEVEL UP AI

Overview

Join Us in Shaping the Future of AI Education

The NSF LEVEL UP AI initiative brings together educators, researchers, and professionals across the computing community to build a shared vision for expanding and diversifying AI education. As part of NSF’s EducateAI program, this initiative plays a vital role in leading national efforts to create an inclusive, AI-ready workforce.

Aligned with the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) initiative, NSF LEVEL UP AI ensures broad access to computational tools, data, and training essential for delivering high-quality AI education across the U.S.

AI is reshaping our world, and it’s up to us to ensure that everyone can participate and benefit from these advances. NSF LEVEL UP AI will develop strategies to grow AI programs at educational institutions nationwide while keeping education accessible and inclusive to all students.

A Community-Led Effort on AI Education

NSF LEVEL UP AI is a key part of the NSF EducateAI initiative, a nationwide effort to prepare the next generation of AI professionals.

Our work focuses on:

Increasing capacity by expanding AI curricula and building the infrastructure needed to deliver high-quality education.
Promoting inclusion to ensure that students from all backgrounds have opportunities to participate in AI programs.
Building community consensus to develop actionable strategies that transform AI education across institutions.

CRA is proud to help lead NSF’s national effort to expand and improve AI education, working alongside NAIRR and other federal initiatives to democratize access to AI education resources.

Stay tuned for more dates and event registration details soon! Sign up for updates.

Activities

Engage, Collaborate, and Build the Future of AI Education

NSF LEVEL UP AI offers multiple opportunities for collaboration and discussion through virtual roundtables and in-person workshops, designed to shape the future of inclusive and accessible AI education.

Virtual Roundtable Discussions

Virtual roundtables provide an interactive platform for participants from diverse institutions and professional backgrounds to exchange ideas.

These 1–1.5 hour online sessions foster dialogue around expanding AI education programs and promoting inclusive practices.
No travel is required, allowing participants from different locations to connect conveniently.
The flexibility of the roundtables ensures broad participation, accommodating professional schedules, family responsibilities, and other commitments.

In-Person Workshops

Regional workshops on the East and West Coasts will bring together representatives from academia, industry, and government to develop actionable plans for AI education.

These workshops aim to build consensus and create strategies for increasing capacity and diversity in AI programs.
Agendas will be shaped by insights gathered from the virtual roundtables, ensuring continuity and alignment between the activities.
The outcomes of the workshops will contribute to a comprehensive roadmap for advancing AI education nationwide.

Stay tuned for more details on event dates and registration. Sign-up links and specific schedules will be shared soon.

Get Involved

Be Part of the Solution: Build a More Inclusive AI Future

NSF LEVEL UP AI relies on collaboration from across the computing community. Whether you’re an educator, researcher, student, or industry professional, we invite your participation in shaping the future of AI education.

How You Can Participate

Join a Virtual Roundtable Discussion: Contribute your perspectives and help develop strategies for inclusive AI education.
Attend an In-Person Workshop: Build community and co-create action plans for expanding AI programs nationwide.

See the Activities tab for further details.

Be the first to know when registration opens to participate! Sign up for updates.

Reach Out to Collaborate

We’d love to hear your ideas or answer any questions about upcoming activities and collaboration opportunities. If you want to join a roundtable or workshop — or have ideas to share — please contact us at levelup@cra.org

Together, we can create a more inclusive, innovative AI future.

Partners

Partners in NSF LEVEL UP AI

The Computing Research Association (CRA) leads NSF LEVEL UP AI, bringing together key computing organizations and alliances to expand capacity and promote inclusion in AI education. These partners contribute their expertise and resources to ensure the initiative’s success.

AAAI (Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence): AAAI promotes research and responsible use of AI technologies, with an emphasis on education and industry collaboration.
ACM (Association for Computing Machinery): A global leader in computing education and research, ACM offers resources, curricula, and support for professionals and educators advancing technology.
IEEE-CS (IEEE Computer Society): IEEE-CS advances computer science education and innovation through technical standards, publications, and conferences.

NSF Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliances: These NSF BPC Alliances focus on increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in computing research and education. Each alliance brings unique insights and programs to the initiative:

AccessComputing: Supports students with disabilities pursuing computing degrees and careers.
CAHSI (The Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions): Strengthens the computing workforce by empowering Hispanic students.
Center for Inclusive Computing (CIC): Drives efforts to improve diversity in computing programs nationwide.
CRA-WP (CRA-Widening Participation): Fosters diversity in research careers through mentoring and support programs.
ECEP (Expanding Computing Education Pathways): Works to broaden access to computing education across the U.S.
iAAMCS (Institute for African-American Mentoring in Computing Sciences): Promotes mentoring and support for African-American students in computing.
LEAP: Focuses on leadership development for underrepresented students and faculty in computing.
NCWIT (National Center for Women & Information Technology): Increases the meaningful participation of women in computing.
SRC (Socially Responsible Computing): Serves undergraduate students in computing who identify as Hispanic/Latino (Latinx).
STARS (Students & Technology in Academia, Research & Service): Supports mentoring and community engagement programs for diverse students.

About CRA

About the Computing Research Association (CRA)

The Computing Research Association (CRA) unites industry, academia, and government to advance computing research and education. With nearly 300 member institutions across North America, CRA works to catalyze innovation, support collaboration, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the computing field.

CRA is proud to lead the NSF LEVEL UP AI initiative, bringing together organizations and experts from across the computing community to shape a shared vision for inclusive AI education. This initiative reflects CRA’s ongoing commitment to community-led collaboration and our mission to strengthen and diversify the future of computing.

Learn more about CRA’s mission and initiatives at cra.org.

Involved Leaders

This project is bringing together leaders from a wide range of backgrounds, including academia, industry, and key organizations.

Project Leaders

Tracy Camp
Computing Research Association
Website

Mary Lou Maher
Computing Research Association
Website

Enrico Pontelli
New Mexico State University
Website

Advisory Board Members

We are proud to be guided by an esteemed Advisory Board of thought leaders and experts:

Nate Derbinksy
Northeastern University
Website

Eric Eaton
University of Pennsylvania
AAAI
Website

Yolanda Gil
University of Southern California
CRA Board
Website

Ashok Goel
Georgia Institute of Technology
Website

Mrinal Karvir
Intel
IEEE-CS
Website

Sneha Kumar Kasera
University of Utah
Website

James Lester
North Carolina State University
Website

Naja Mack
Morgan State University
Website

Jamie Payton
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Website

Tom Pearson
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Website

Jane Prey
ACM Education Committee
Website

Jodi Reeves
National University
Website

Neelu Sinha
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Website

Ilias Tagkopoulos
University of California, Davis
Website

David Touretzky
Carnegie Mellon University
Website

Michael Wollowski
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Website

Involved Leaders from the NSF Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliances

AccessComputing

Maya Cakmak
University of Washington
Website

CAHSI

Ann Gates
University of Texas El Paso
Website

Center for Inclusive Computing

Carla Brodley
Northeastern University
Website

CRA-Widening Participation

Amanda Stent
Bloomberg
Website

NCWIT

Lucy Sanders
University of Colorado
Website

ECEP

Carol Fletcher
University of Texas at Austin
Website

iAAMCS

Kinnis Gosha
Morehouse College
Website

LEAP

Charles Isbell
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Website

SRC

Zoë Wood
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Website

STARS

Tiffany Barnes
North Carolina State University
Website

NSF LEVEL UP AI is a collaborative effort involving ACM, CRA, IEEE-CS, AAAI, and the NSF Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliances (AccessComputing, CAHSI, CIC, CRA-WP, ECEP, iAAMCS, LEAP, NCWIT, SRC, and STARS).

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. CNS-2434416. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.