Governor Hochul Launches FutureWorks Commission Listening Sessions as Part of Plan to Address AI Workforce Impacts Across New York

The Commission, chaired by former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Thasunda Brown Duckett of TIAA and Molly Kinder, founder of the Breakwater Initiative, is composed of 20 members, each offering specific expertise on issues relating to technology, workforce development, education and the economy. FutureWorks reflects New York's strong leadership in the AI industry. The members will identify real-time data strategies for monitoring AI's impact, and propose policy and private sector interventions to ensure New York's workers, families and small businesses, not just large corporations, stand to gain from the potential benefits of AI. The Commission will deliver its recommendations by the end of the year.

The listening sessions build on Governor Hochul's ongoing efforts to strengthen New York's position as the responsible AI capital of the nation through her groundbreaking initiatives like Empire AI, her first-in-the-nation legislative victories to address safety in emerging technologies, and programs to provide free community college for adult learners in high-demand fields through SUNY and CUNY. These efforts are complemented by new efforts to train students, small businesses, entrepreneurs and the State workforce in AI skills.

State Senator Jessica Ramos said, "The measure of our success with AI cannot just be how quickly we adopt new technology. It must be whether that technology creates opportunity, strengthens workers' economic security, and helps more New Yorkers build a good life. AI is going to change work whether the government is ready or not, so workers deserve a real voice in shaping what comes next. I thank Governor Hochul for bringing workers, small businesses, educators, and industry to the table so New York can embrace innovation while making sure working people share its benefits.