Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Increase Understanding of AI’s Workforce Impact

A new bipartisan bill hopes to shed light on the true impact that artificial intelligence is having on the American workforce.

On Nov. 6, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Mark Warner introduced the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act, which would require federal agencies as well as publicly traded companies and some private entities to report AI-related layoffs to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL would then compile that information into a publicly available report.

Saying that “good policy starts with good data,” Warner expressed hope that the legislation could help employers harness AI’s potential while minimizing the loss of American jobs.

“Good policy starts with good data. This bipartisan legislation will finally give us a clear picture of AI’s impact on the workforce—what jobs are being eliminated, which workers are being retrained and where new opportunities are emerging,” said Warner, in a statement.

“Armed with this information, we can make sure AI drives opportunity instead of leaving workers behind.”

The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act would oblige federal agencies and certain private sector entities to report AI-related job effects, including layoffs and job displacement, to the DOL on a quarterly basis. The DOL’s published report would be available to Congress as well as the general public.

“Artificial intelligence is already replacing American workers, and experts project AI could drive unemployment up to 10% to 20% in the next five years,” said Hawley, in a statement. “The American people need to have an accurate understanding of how AI is affecting our workforce, so we can ensure that AI works for the people, not the other way around.”