DOL, NSF Announce AI Workforce Collaboration

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly advance the "TechAccess: AI-Ready America" initiative, which aims to help American workers and businesses gain access to artificial intelligence knowledge, tools, and training.

NSF will provide up to $224 million in funding to establish up to 56 state-level coordination hubs across the country to drive AI readiness. The program also involves the Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration.

DOL has committed to connecting the coordination hubs with public workforce systems, including American Job Centers, Registered Apprenticeships, and other initiatives, to maximize the program’s impact. The collaboration also supports research on how AI is transforming labor markets and job requirements.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, both agencies will:

•Collaborate on initiatives that equip American workers with the knowledge and skills to succeed in an AI-driven economy.

•Support strategies that prepare workers for transitions and advancement opportunities created by AI adoption.

•Conduct research on how AI is transforming labor markets, job requirements, and economic outcomes.