Senators propose worker assistance and retraining to address AI disruption

Senators have proposed new ways to support workers whose employment is disrupted by artificial intelligence and automation. One measure would establish a federal program to help eligible workers train for other jobs, while another would create a commission to develop policy recommendations.

Sens. Brian Schatz and Cory Booker introduced the FUTURE of Workers Act on September 30. Its proposed training program covers qualifying workers affected by automation, recent graduates and people in occupations identified as at risk. The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

A separate proposal from Sens. Mark Warner and Mike Rounds addresses broader questions about how government should respond to changes in employment. Their proposed commission would examine education, retraining, unemployment insurance and taxation. The approach reflects concerns that responding to AI requires changes across several areas of economic policy.

The Warner-Rounds proposal calls for the commission to deliver final recommendations within 13 months. That timetable describes work under the proposed commission, rather than a deadline for workers to receive new benefits.