Key facts
- The bill proposes $500 million in annual tax credit authority for AI workforce development.
- Tax credits would be distributed to states on a per capita basis.
- Eligible investments include curriculum development, skills assessment, internships, apprenticeships, and labs.
- Employers would receive $2,500 for each student completing a qualified program.
- An additional $2,500 tax credit would be given for each graduate hired by an employer.
Representative Sam Liccardo has introduced legislation aimed at bolstering the U.S. workforce's readiness for artificial intelligence-related job shifts. The proposed bill would establish $500 million in annual tax credit authority, to be distributed to states on a per capita basis. These credits would support investments in AI workforce development, including curriculum creation, skills assessments, internships, apprenticeships, and laboratory facilities. Employers stand to benefit by receiving a $2,500 tax credit for each student who successfully completes a qualifying program, with an additional $2,500 credit for each graduate they subsequently hire. This initiative aligns with a growing national trend of proposals designed to prepare workers for potential AI-driven layoffs. For instance, New Jersey recently introduced a state bill allocating nearly $200 million for similar retraining programs. The bill has garnered support from key figures such as Representative Jimmy Panetta, a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, and Louis Stewart, Nvidia's head of ecosystem development. Additionally, industry lobbying groups including TechNet, The Digital Chamber, and the Chamber of Progress, along with the American Association of Community Colleges, have endorsed the legislation.