A coalition of influential players in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors has launched an initiative aimed at assisting workers through the evolving landscape shaped by AI advancements.
Raise US, a new nonprofit organization, has garnered support from major industry leaders including the OpenAI Foundation, Anthropic, Amazon, and Microsoft. This group has ambitious goals, seeking to raise $1 billion to establish a nationwide platform that will advise state governors on effectively preparing their workforces for the impending shifts caused by AI. Notably, they have already secured $500 million in funding. The OpenAI Foundation was created following OpenAI's restructuring and holds a substantial equity stake worth $100 billion in the company's for-profit division.
Former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who is spearheading the initiative, emphasized the importance of developing a workforce strategy to complement the nation’s technological ambitions. "America has a technology strategy for leading the global AI competition. It does not yet have a people strategy — and we cannot lead without one," she stated.
Initially, Raise US is collaborating with the states of Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah, showing a balanced representation of both Republican and Democratic leadership. Amazon's Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer, David Zapolsky, highlighted that teaming up with state governments will allow for quicker implementation and broader reach than if they were to act independently.
In Arkansas, the partnership is launching an AI-driven career navigation system named Arkansas LAUNCH, aimed at connecting students and job seekers with tailored educational opportunities and career pathways linked to local employers. Meanwhile, in Maryland, Governor Wes Moore is collaborating with Raise US to extend service-year programs for new high school graduates, focusing on sectors like healthcare and education.
Utah has emerged as a compelling focal point for the initiative, especially amid recent controversy surrounding the establishment of AI data centers. Prominent investor Kevin O'Leary notably scaled back his data center plans following significant public protest and political scrutiny.
Raise US has indicated that additional states will join the initiative in the near future, with plans to explore "real-world pilots" for various policy measures, including "short-time compensation and wage insurance."
The initiative is being led by Raimondo, alongside former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and features a board of directors that includes notable figures like David Sze from Greylock. Additionally, the advisory board comprises an array of prominent names from various sectors, including Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Schwarzman of Blackstone, Bank of America’s Jim DeMare, former IBM CEO Samuel Palmisano, ex-House Speaker Paul Ryan, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and Economist Raj Chetty.
The anticipated impact of AI on the job market remains a contentious issue. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has been vocal about the potential for AI to displace as much as half of entry-level white-collar jobs within the next five years. Recently, industry leaders have sought to address the narrative surrounding job loss, as concerns grow regarding AI's waning popularity among the American public. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed his relief at the lack of immediate job impacts, stating he had anticipated a far greater loss of entry-level positions than has actually occurred.
