On September 24, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, a bill designed to address the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workforce. The legislation would establish a dedicated federal trust fund, financed by contributions from top tech and AI companies, to invest in workers, jobseekers, and communities. It would also establish an AI Advisory Council of experts on AI, labor, higher education, and workforce development, including the AmeriCorps CEO.
The AI Horizon Fund would invest in workforce development, entrepreneurship training, and a new National Service for America’s Future program. Building on AmeriCorps and the infrastructure of state service commissions, the program would create new, paid service-to-career pathways for workers affected by AI. Grants would be made to states, working collaboratively with their state workforce development agencies, to support service positions with placements focused on durable skills and human- and relationship-centered work.
Key features of the National Service for America’s Future program:
- Administration: The program would be housed at the AmeriCorps agency, with the Department of Labor playing a joint role.
- State leadership: Grant applications would be submitted through state service commissions, in collaboration with state workforce development boards and state workforce agencies.
- Career outcomes: Service placements must lead to a documented workforce outcome, such as:
- Placement in or credit toward a registered apprenticeship,
- Completion of a pre-apprenticeship,
- An industry-recognized credential, certification, or licensure,
- Postsecondary credit, or
- Employment.
- Compensation and awards: Participants will receive $20/hour pay (adjusted annually for inflation) and a tax-free completion award equivalent to the maximum Pell Grant.
- Eligibility: Participants must be at least 18 years old. States could prioritize specific groups of workers, including those that are early-career, displaced, unemployed, mid-career, or veterans.
- Eligible service host sites: Placements could be hosted by nonprofits, public agencies, community colleges, healthcare providers, education providers, and qualified for-profit businesses.
- Training and support: Programs would prioritize training, professional development, and coaching alongside service.
- Workforce system integration: Participants would connect with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) system, through resources such as American Job Centers, training providers, apprenticeships, community colleges, and employment opportunities.
The bill also calls for a report to Congress on modernizing AmeriCorps, including potential reforms to:
- Increase compensation and benefits for AmeriCorps members,
- Improve recruitment and retention of individuals facing financial barriers to service,
- Better integrate AmeriCorps with the WIOA workforce system,
- Expand ways the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award could be used, including for credentials and registered apprenticeships,
- Allow AmeriCorps members to devote more time to education, training, and professional development during service, and
- Establish a portable credential recognizing the durable skills developed through service.
For more information on the Make AI Work for Americans Act:
- Sen. Kelly’s Press Release
- Make AI Work for American Act Section-by-Section Summary
- Full Bill Text
- Leaders and Stakeholders Support for the Make AI Work for Americans Act – including a statement from AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service:
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the labor market, including many of the entry-level jobs that have traditionally helped young people get a foothold in the workforce. The Make AI Work for Americans Act recognizes that national service should be part of the solution. By building on AmeriCorps as a backbone for new service-to-career opportunities and exploring ways to strengthen AmeriCorps, this legislation would help more Americans build durable skills, gain meaningful work experience, and pursue credentials and careers while meeting critical needs in their communities. We thank Senator Kelly for recognizing national service as an important part of the workforce infrastructure our country will need as AI transforms the economy.”