Gina Raimondo says her family never fully recovered after her father lost his Bulova watch factory job in the 1980s to economic forces beyond his control. Decades later, the former Biden administration commerce secretary and Rhode Island governor is trying to stop artificial intelligence from inflicting similar pain on families across the country.
Raimondo is now leading a bipartisan effort to AI-proof the country’s workforce. The initiative aims to prepare workers for the inevitable changes AI will bring, focusing on retraining, education, and social safety nets to cushion the blow. The goal is not to stop AI but to ensure that the workforce can adapt and thrive alongside it.
Key components of the plan include:
- Partnerships with tech companies to create AI training programs.
- Federal funding for community colleges and vocational schools to update curricula.
- Portable benefits for gig workers and freelancers affected by automation.
- AI literacy campaigns to help workers understand and leverage new tools.
Raimondo emphasizes that the U.S. has faced similar transitions before, such as the shift from manufacturing to services, and can do so again with the right policies. The plan has drawn support from both Democrats and Republicans, as well as major tech firms like Microsoft and Google.
However, critics argue that the pace of AI change is unprecedented and that existing retraining programs have had mixed results. Raimondo acknowledges the challenge but insists that inaction is not an option.
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