A bipartisan coalition of major employers, state governments, nonprofit organizations, and policymakers has launched a new initiative aimed at preparing American workers for the labor market changes expected from artificial intelligence.
The effort, called RAISE US, brings together companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Bank of America, Eli Lilly, OpenAI, and Anthropic, alongside philanthropic organizations and state leaders. Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will lead the organization.
The group has already secured more than $500 million in funding—roughly half of its long-term fundraising target—and will begin pilot programs in Arkansas, Maryland, Utah, and Connecticut, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Looking Beyond Traditional Retraining
Rather than focusing only on workforce retraining, RAISE US plans to test broader strategies for helping workers transition into new careers as AI changes job requirements.
Its agenda includes examining updates to long-standing workforce policies, including unemployment insurance, while encouraging employers to retain workers whose roles are affected by AI and help them move into new positions within their organizations. The coalition also plans to explore whether displaced workers should be able to continue receiving unemployment benefits while launching AI-assisted businesses or pursuing other career transitions.
Tackling a Fragmented Workforce System
The initiative comes as concerns grow that the U.S. workforce development system remains fragmented across federal and state agencies, making it difficult for workers to access training and career support.
Business leaders involved in the effort argue that a coordinated national strategy is becoming increasingly important as AI spreads across professional and administrative jobs. The coalition intends to work with employers, educators, and state governments to test workforce programs that can be expanded if successful.
The coalition’s early projects will vary by state. Maryland plans to expand service-year opportunities that expose workers to growing industries such as healthcare, while Arkansas will focus on developing an AI-powered career navigation platform.
Preparing for Workforce Change
The leaders behind the initiative say AI is expected to create new opportunities while also disrupting existing jobs, making preparation essential regardless of how large the long-term employment impact proves to be.
By testing new policies, expanding training pathways, and encouraging employers to invest in workers during periods of disruption, the coalition hopes to build a more coordinated approach to helping Americans adapt as AI transforms the workplace.
