Protecting workers during the artificial intelligence transition

Former U.S. attorney Jay Clayton now leads the White House Super Intelligence Force as America's AI czar, tasked with responding to threats posed by artificial intelligence. While addressing national security and privacy concerns is vital, policymakers and business leaders must pay equal attention to the immediate economic transition and worker displacement. This technological shift will eliminate some jobs and create new ones much faster than previous decades-long economic changes. Leaders should focus on maximum participation in the economy to protect workers and their communities. Policymakers must invest in institutions like the community college system to train workers for new skills. Business leaders also need to act as stewards of their workforce to protect long-term value. Past mistakes, such as failing to support workers during the shift in manufacturing tied to global trade with China, show that ignoring displaced workers creates lasting political backlash.

Potential Solutions

The next U.S. Congress should bring back wage insurance from the 1962 Trade Adjustment Assistance program with broader rules, and boost tax credits like the earned-income tax credit. Companies should use AI to help workers instead of replacing them entirely, following examples like AT&T's early 2000s Workforce 2020 retraining program. The White House Super Intelligence Force can help coordinate these public and private efforts, much like past groups that managed post-World War II economic changes.

Context

Economic shifts driven by new technology often outpace the existing skills of the workforce, leading to job losses if training programs do not keep up. Governments and corporations frequently look to historical transitions, such as post-war adjustments or trade changes, to find better ways to support displaced workers. Without proactive retraining and financial safety nets, rapid automation can spark widespread public backlash against new technologies.