Over 250 CEOs and technology leaders, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen, IBM’s Arvind Krishna, and Cognizant’s Ravi Kumar S, have signed an open letter warning that the United States is falling behind globally in preparing students for an AI-driven future. The coalition also includes prominent leaders from Airbnb, Uber, LinkedIn, and Salesforce, all calling for computer science and AI to become mandatory components of K-12 education nationwide.
“In the age of AI, we must prepare our children for the future — to be AI creators, not just consumers,” the letter states, pointing out that countries like Brazil, China, South Korea, and Singapore have already made computer science or AI mandatory for every student.
Other prominent signatories include Marc Benioff (Salesforce), Michael Dell, CEO and founder of Dell, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman , and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Just one CS course could boost wages by 8% for all students, says CEOs
The campaign highlights research showing that just one high school computer science course can boost wages by 8% for all students, regardless of their eventual career path. Advocates argue that making these subjects required rather than elective could unlock $660 billion in economic potential annually and help close persistent skills and income gaps.
Currently, only 12 states require students to learn even basic computer science. While all 50 states have taken steps to expand computer science education in the past decade, the letter’s signatories argue this progress is insufficient given the rapid advancement of AI technologies across all industries.
The bipartisan-supported initiative, spearheaded by organizations like Code.org and CSforALL, emphasizes that computer science education is not just about creating more tech workers, but about ensuring all American students have the foundation they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world economy.
“This is not just an educational issue; it’s about closing skills and income gaps that have persisted for generations,” the letter continues, urging policymakers, educators, and communities to join the effort to make computer science and AI education accessible to every student.
Read the complete open letter from CEOs
“WHAT IF A SINGLE CLASS COULD HELP CLOSE WAGE GAPS, UNLOCK $660 BILLION IN ECONOMIC POTENTIAL EVERY YEAR FOR EVERYDAY AMERICANS, AND ADDRESS THE SKILLS GAP WE CURRENTLY FACE?
This is possible, today — if we include computer science and AI as a core part of every student’s education.
Just one high school computer science course boosts wages by 8% for all students, regardless of career path or whether they attend college.
Yet, most students never even try computer science, because it’s not a graduation requirement. Only 12 states require students to learn even basic computer science.
This is not just an educational issue; it’s about closing skills and income gaps that have persisted for generations.
It’s also about keeping America competitive. Countries like Brazil, China, S. Korea, and Singapore have already made computer science or AI mandatory for every student. The United States is falling behind.
In the age of AI, we must prepare our children for the future — to be AI creators, not just consumers. A basic foundation in computer science and AI is crucial for helping every student thrive in a technology-driven world. Without it, they risk falling behind.
How can we accept this? We have a responsibility to prepare the next generation for the new American Dream. We owe it to them to provide an education that reflects the demands of our time.
Change is already underway. This movement has bipartisan support from leaders on both sides of the aisle. In the past 10 years, all 50 states have taken steps forward, and 100,000 teachers have started teaching computer science.
But we can’t stop here. We must make computer science and AI a required part of every school’s curriculum. Together, we can unlock $660 billion in opportunity for everyday Americans, close wage gaps and ensure our children are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.”