After years of racing to develop more powerful AI, some of the industry’s biggest companies are now investing in helping workers prepare for the changes artificial intelligence is expected to bring.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, Amazon, and several public and private sector leaders have launched Raise US, a nonprofit initiative designed to help states prepare workers for the growing impact of artificial intelligence.
The organization plans to raise $1 billion and has already secured $500 million to support workforce programs, AI career initiatives, and state-level policy development. Initial partners include Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah, with additional states expected to join.
Raise US will work directly with state governments to expand AI workforce programs, including AI-powered career platforms, workforce training initiatives, service opportunities, and policies designed to help workers transition as AI changes the job market.
WHY IT MATTERS
The AI conversation is entering a new phase.
For the past several years, the focus has been on building larger, faster, and more capable AI models.
Now, some of the companies leading that race are acknowledging that preparing people to work alongside AI is becoming just as important as building the technology itself.
The discussion is shifting from “How powerful can AI become?” to “How do we prepare workers for what comes next?”
WHO BENEFITS
- Workers looking to develop AI skills.
- Students preparing for future careers.
- Employers adopting AI technologies.
- States investing in workforce development.
- Organizations creating AI education programs.
WHO LOSES
- Workers who delay learning AI skills.
- Organizations that postpone workforce training.
- Regions that fail to prepare for AI-driven economic changes.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Raise US plans to expand beyond its initial partner states while continuing to develop workforce programs and policy initiatives focused on AI readiness.
As more governments and businesses begin investing in AI education and workforce development, AI literacy is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage rather than an optional skill.