Larson Announces Comprehensive Bill to Prepare America’s Workforce for AI Future
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced the introduction of the Workforce of the Future Act with Reps. Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05) and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), to better prepare workers, teachers, and students for a changing workforce and identify how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies will change the future of the American economy. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA). Last week, Time Magazine named the “Architects of AI” the person of the year for 2025.
“While the rise of artificial intelligence offers the promise of innovation and advancement, we can’t sit idly by and allow workers to be left behind,” said Larson. “We must make sure workers across a broad array of industries, and students, present and future, have the access to the programs and education they need to compete in this rapidly changing economy. I’m proud to join Rep. Emanuel Cleaver to put forward a plan to better integrate emerging technologies into school curricula and support workers as AI enters their industry. We can’t let big tech moguls make billions on this disruptive technology without investing our workforce. The Congress urgently needs to act to pass nationwide AI regulations and standards that preserve jobs, protect children, and advance global technological competitiveness. AI technology should work for us, not the other way around and this bill takes an important step in that direction.”
“While there is much excitement about the potential of AI and the benefits it can bring to our communities, there is also much concern about the impacts it will have on American workers, their jobs, and their wages. It is critically important that we take steps today to prepare our nation and our workforce for the economic consequences that are rapidly approaching with the growing adoption of AI,” said Cleaver. “The Workforce of the Future Act will provide the investments necessary to ensure American workers are ready and able to capitalize on those opportunities and that nobody is left behind.”
Without proper guardrails, the impact AI could have on our economy is wide-ranging. According to studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AI could replace nearly 12 percent of the workforce. Currently, many recent college graduates report being unable to find work. This legislation addresses the most pressing concerns behind AI’s rapid advancement in our workforce while also providing resources to prepare individuals to succeed in advanced technology sectors.
The Workforce of the Future Actwould:
Require the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to jointly and efficiently prepare a report analyzing AI’s impact on the economy and workforce that must identify critical information, including what industries and jobs will be most impacted, how job quality will be impacted, necessary skills for workers, and recommendations for preparing the 21st century workforce.
Authorize the Department of Education to award $160 million in grants to support expanding access to emerging and advanced technology education. Grants will help support foundational and innovative STEAM learning for students who need this knowledge to participate in the 21st century workforce.
Grants must leverage information and recommendations from the report and may be used for teacher training and recruiting, high-quality learning materials, reducing gaps in access for underrepresented groups, engaging industry, and providing necessary support for student success.
Authorize the Department of Labor to award $90 million in grants to support workforce training for workers most impacted by AI.
Grants must leverage information and recommendations from the report and support the training of workers to prevent AI-related displacement and provide immediate support and training to workers who experience job loss in AI-impacted industries.
The bill is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Anthropic, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Microsoft, the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), OpenAI, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
View full bill text HERE.