Key facts
- A new nonprofit, Raise Us, has been launched with $500 million to address workforce disruption from AI.
- The initiative is led by former commerce secretary Gina Raimondo.
- Founding members include OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon, Microsoft, and Bank of America.
- The organization will partner with state governors to implement pilot programs for worker retraining and support.
- Planned initiatives include 'service years' for graduates and 'wage insurance' for workers taking lower-paying jobs.
A new nonprofit organization, Raise Us, has been established with $500 million in funding from major technology companies and corporations to help American workers adapt to the evolving job market shaped by artificial intelligence. The initiative is led by Gina Raimondo, former commerce secretary and Rhode Island governor.
Founding funders include AI developers like OpenAI and Anthropic, alongside established giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Bank of America. The organization aims to address concerns about potential widespread job losses due to AI, a topic that has seen growing public debate and regulatory scrutiny. Raimondo described the effort as an independent initiative where competitors are collaborating for the benefit of the country.
Raise Us plans to work primarily with state governors, starting with pilot programs in Utah, Arkansas, Maryland, and Connecticut. The strategy involves leveraging state community college systems to offer relevant course work and industry partnerships. The budget will support pilot programs and approximately 15 staff members and consultants.
Examples of proposed programs include a 'service year' in Maryland for recent high school graduates to gain experience in high-demand fields like healthcare, and 'wage insurance' to support workers who transition to lower-paying jobs. The organization will also provide technical assistance to companies seeking to retrain employees whose roles are changing due to AI.
Microsoft, a backer of the initiative, highlighted its own efforts in cross-training entry-level lawyers with AI skills to adapt to evolving job functions. The company believes this model can be applied to various roles, transferring employees from jobs being eliminated to newly created ones. Previous efforts to retrain displaced workers have historically faced challenges with effectiveness.