Hurd, Kelly, Bipartisan Policy Center Release White Paper on Artificial Intelligence in the Workforce

Reps. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and I in consultation with the Bipartisan Policy Center today released the first of four white papers about a national artificial intelligence strategy. The congressmen have worked with BPC for almost a year to craft the pillars of a national AI strategy. The first white paper centers around artificial intelligence in the workplace. The findings call on the U.S. to take on a larger role on AI, embracing the coming AI-driven economy and preparing the workforce for this transition.

The report, AI and the Workforce, emphasizes the need to reimagine educational curricula from kindergarten through post-college, to embrace lifelong learning and mid-career transitions and to close the AI talent gap by preparing skilled workers with a multidisciplinary skill set that includes ethics.

AI is the future of the world’s economy, and we want to ensure that every American worker has the opportunity to thrive in an AI-driven economy. AI is already having a disruptive role in society, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to have a negative role in our country’s future. If we provide our kids and workers with the tools to work in AI, we will have prepared them for it. This is how we take advantage of technology before it takes advantage of us.

“Technological evolution has always changed work in our society. Today, artificial intelligence is making some jobs obsolete while creating new opportunities for American workers. It’s imperative that policymakers get in front of these changes to ensure our workers have the skills to continue outperform our competitors,” said Kelly. “This white paper puts forward an actionable path forward to ensure the benefits of AI are shared equally and equitably by all. We cannot allow technology to widen the have-have not divide in our nation.”

“The economic disruption and dislocation caused by the current pandemic will only accelerate the role of AI in our society,” said BPC President Jason Grumet. “Policymakers must ensure that all workers have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from these technological advances.”

This report is part of a series on artificial intelligence issues that will be released in coming weeks. In preparing these studies, BPC worked with government officials, industry representatives, civil society advocates, and academics to better understand the range of challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as AI technology comes into more widespread use.

The goal of these efforts is to suggest concrete steps policymakers could take to advance responsible development of AI, building on the work done by the Obama and Trump administrations in recent years.

The White paper entitled, “AI and the Workforce” is available here.