Big Tech Backs $1 Billion Plan to Save Workers from AI

Some of the largest names in technology and artificial intelligence are funding a new nonprofit to help American workers adapt to AI-driven job changes. The organization, called Raise US, aims to raise $1 billion to advise state governors on workforce preparation. It has already secured $500 million from "anchor partners" including the OpenAI Foundation, Anthropic, Amazon, and Microsoft. Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is leading the group. "America has a technology strategy for leading the global AI competition. It does not yet have a people strategy — and we cannot lead without one," she said in a statement. Raise US has started partnerships with four states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah. The group chose an even split between states led by Republican and Democratic governors. In Arkansas, the group is building an "AI-powered career navigation platform" to connect students with jobs. In Maryland, it is expanding service-year programs for recent high school graduates into healthcare and education. Utah is a notable partner. The state has faced public backlash over the rapid construction of AI data centers. "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary recently cut his proposed data center project in the state by nearly half after intense criticism. Raise US plans to add more states in the coming months. It also wants to test policies like "short-time compensation" and "wage insurance," which help workers who lose hours or jobs. Raimondo, a former Rhode Island governor, is co-leading the effort with former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. David Sze, a partner at venture capital firm Greylock, sits on the board of directors. The advisory board includes a wide range of leaders: Laurene Powell Jobs, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, Bank of America co-President Jim DeMare, former IBM CEO Samuel Palmisano, former House Speaker Paul Ryan, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and economist Raj Chetty. How much AI will disrupt jobs is still debated. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that AI could eliminate up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs within one to five years. Some tech leaders have recently softened that message. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he was "delighted to be wrong" about his earlier predictions. "I thought there would have been more impact on entry-level white-collar jobs by now," he said in May.