Congressmembers Lee, Cleaver Introduce Bill to Prepare Workers and Next Generation for Technology Driven Workforce

September 16, 2024

Congressmembers Lee, Cleaver Introduce Bill to Prepare Workers and Next Generation for Technology Driven Workforce

WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) introduced the Workforce of the Future Act, legislation that would identify how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies will change the workforce of the future and provide workers, teachers, and our nation's students with the resources to develop integral skills required to participate in that workforce. Senators Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

The Workforce of the Future Act would require the Department of Labor (DOL), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Education (ED) to conduct a study on the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on job outlooks across sectors.

This bill would also authorize $250 million in grant funding for labor organizations and state, local, and tribal entities managing education and workforce development programming to foster the development of emerging and advanced technology education in K-12 schools. It would also train a new generation of emerging and advanced technology teachers and provide workers with up-skilling and lifelong learning opportunities.

"With the advent of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, it's essential that we ensure we don't widen the digital divide that disproportionately harms people of color," said Congresswoman Lee. "The Workforce of the Future Act will invest $250 million into preparing our students, teachers, and workers for the advanced technology jobs that will shape our future. This bill is about equity, and ensures that the opportunities of tomorrow are available to all communities, particularly those historically underrepresented in the tech sector."

"With the rapid development of technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, there is boundless opportunity to boost innovation, productivity, and prosperity across the nation," said Congressman Cleaver. "However, as with all new technologies, we must work to ensure the benefits will be distributed equitably across society. As has been highlighted by our work as co-chairs of CBC TECH2025, too often Black and Brown communities get left out when our leaders fail to make intelligent and proactive investments in growing a workforce that supports all Americans. To maximize the potential of these emerging technologies, the U.S. must ensure that we not only have a workforce capable of leading the world in these industries, but also that workers of every background and in every region share in the spoils. I'm proud to partner with Representative Lee and Senator Butler in introducing the Workforce of the Future Act to strengthen the pipeline of America's technology workforce and safeguard our status as a global leader in innovation."

Major concerns have been raised over the impact AI will have on the job market, particularly in the manufacturing, automobile, and entertainment industries. Throughout 2023, writers, musicians, and other entertainment industry workers held strikes in an attempt to prevent AI from supplanting their jobs. Initial studies estimate that more than 60,000 jobs in the California entertainment industry alone will be disrupted by AI by 2026.

Concerns have also been raised about AI not impacting all communities equally. Many AI models are trained on biased data, leading to outcomes that disproportionately harm marginalized groups, especially Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. These biases can manifest in hiring practices, criminal justice systems, healthcare, and more.

"Emerging technologies have the potential to significantly change the reality of work. We must continue to understand those impacts, ensuring that we adequately prepare America's workers to thrive in the evolving job market," said Senator Butler. "The purpose of this legislation is to solidify our commitment to today's - as well as tomorrow's - workers, preparing them to work in tandem with AI and to be ready for the jobs of the future."

"As advancements in AI rapidly increase, so do concerns regarding the potential effects of this technology on our workforce," said Senator Hirono. "This legislation will help protect American workers by identifying the impacts AI has on jobs, and investing in education and workforce development to better prepare our students, educators, and workers for the future."

Specifically, the funding would be administered by the Labor and Education Departments and distributed as follows:

1. $80,000,000 for the creation of K-12 educational programming utilizing emerging technology to foster interest in and increase exposure to science, technology, engineering, art, and math;

2. $80,000,000 for initiatives to increase the development and recruitment of emerging and advanced technology teachers; and

3. $90,000,000 for workforce development, upskilling, and lifelong learning programs specifically targeted towards workers in industries or occupations that are projected to see worker displacement as a result of AI adoption.

The Workforce of the Future Act is endorsed by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Microsoft, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), the Urban League, and the California Department of Education.

To read a one-pager of the bill, click here.

To read a section-by-section of the bill, click here.

To read the bill text, click here.

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