South Carolina HB 4582, introduced in the 2025-2026 legislative session, authorizes each school district to offer age-appropriate instruction on how to access, utilize, and critically evaluate various artificial intelligence tools beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill directs the South Carolina Department of Education to develop guidance for implementing AI education that includes introducing basic AI concepts, demonstrating practical applications, teaching responsible AI usage, providing instruction on accessing AI tools, and developing critical thinking skills for AI evaluation.
The bill also authorizes the Department of Education to develop and provide professional development programs in AI education for educators, though implementation is explicitly subject to available funding, making teacher training optional rather than mandated. No dedicated funding is allocated in the bill, and curriculum implementation is left to local district discretion.
South Carolina is part of the SREB 16-state AI in Education Commission chaired by Governor Henry McMaster, with the state planning a four-course AI curriculum for high school classroom implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Scoring note: Dimension 1 (curriculum exists) scores 1 for permissive district-level AI instruction authorization. Dimension 4 (teacher training mandated) scores 0 as professional development is optional pending funding availability. Dimension 5 (dedicated funding) scores 0 as no specific funding is allocated.