In response to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on labor markets, the Wisconsin Governor Ton Evers’ Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence has released a detailed Advisory Action Plan. Established by Executive Order #211, the Task Force is chaired by Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek, with additional leadership from Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. The plan aims to harness AI technologies to advance equity and economic opportunities while addressing potential workforce disruptions.
AI technologies are reshaping work, requiring new skills and altering competitive landscapes. According to the plan, Wisconsin ranks first among all states in terms of employment-weighted share of businesses using AI, and is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. The Task Force was created to help Wisconsin capitalize on these opportunities and mitigate the risks associated with AI advancements.
Governor Evers’ historic $158 million investment in workforce solutions, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, has already led to significant employment gains and lessons on removing employment barriers. These efforts provided a foundation for the Task Force’s work over ten months, during which members met with diverse stakeholders, analyzed labor market data, and tracked early AI adopters’ successes. The Advisory Action Plan outlines the current state of AI’s impact on Wisconsin’s labor market and predicts future opportunities and challenges. The Task Force identified how AI technologies might affect key industries, occupations, and skills, emphasizing the need for equitable access to AI benefits.
The plan highlights the importance of increasing support for education and technical training. It advocates for embedding AI literacy throughout K-12 and higher education curricula, fostering an innovation mindset, and ensuring students acquire both technological and human-centered skills. The Department of Public Instruction’s “Empowering Lifelong Learning: AI Guidance for Enhancing K-12 and Library Education” document serves as a blueprint for integrating AI in education, focusing on ethical use, data privacy, and responsible AI application.
The Task Force recommends modernizing state government infrastructure to adopt AI solutions, improving workforce opportunities, efficiency, and service delivery. Key proposals include expanding broadband access, establishing an Office of Data and Privacy, and creating an Interagency Technology Governance Work Group to oversee AI implementation across state agencies.
In workforce development, the Task Force suggests enhancing apprenticeship infrastructure to incorporate AI skills, extending the Worker Connection program to include AI training, and expanding the Wisconsin Fast Forward program to fund employer-led AI training initiatives. Additionally, a proposed AI Workforce Talent Pipeline program aims to raise awareness and provide training in AI-related occupations, particularly for underrepresented populations. The plan emphasizes the need for strategic measures to modernize key economic sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture. Recommendations include providing AI supports for Wisconsin businesses, creating AI Innovation Hubs to incubate startups, and developing an AI Roadmap for Wisconsin businesses to explore AI’s potential.
The Task Force’s work was characterized by significant public engagement, with opportunities for input at six statewide meetings. The plan’s strategic directions aim to ensure that Wisconsin communities continue to thrive in an AI-driven economy. The Task Force acknowledges the state’s unique relationship with Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes and commits to ongoing engagement with tribal nations as policies and investments are reviewed and implemented.
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