Education, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to provide at least one professional development course that provides asynchronous instruction on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom and that is made available, at no cost, to teachers in grades 6-12; requires such teachers to complete at least one department-approved professional development course on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom by the later of August 1, 2028, or within two years of becoming licensed as a teacher in this state. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 677 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to provide at least one free, self-paced online professional development course about using artificial intelligence in classrooms for teachers in grades 6-12. Teachers in these grades must complete one department-approved AI training course by August 1, 2027, or within two years of receiving their teaching license, whichever is later. The course must be created by an entity with expertise in STEM fields and can be used to earn required professional development credits. This bill directly affects all public school teachers in grades 6-12 across Tennessee, mandating specific AI training as part of their professional development requirements.