Support Rolls in from Arizona, Tribal Leaders for Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act

Last week, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure companies benefiting the most from AI pay their fair share and invest in American workers. The bill establishes a dedicated federal trust fund to support American workers, job seekers, and communities as the economy changes. Since its introduction, the bill has received broad support from Arizona and tribal leaders and organizations.

See what supporters of the Make AI Work for Americans Act are saying here:

"Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape our economy in ways we can't yet predict, and we need to prepare now so that Arizonans aren't left behind. I'm grateful to Senator Kelly for his leadership on this issue. Arizona is fortunate to have him fighting for our workers," said Kris Mayes, Attorney General, Arizona.

Kris Mayes on X: Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape our economy in ways we can't yet predict, and we need to prepare now so that Arizonans aren't left behind. I'm grateful to Senator Kelly for his leadership on this issue. Arizona is fortunate to have him fighting for our workers.

"On behalf of the Gila River Indian Community, I support Senator Kelly's leadership in introducing the Make AI Work for Americans Act. It is time for Congress to make sure that AI advancements are made in a thoughtful and deliberative manner that protects our people, our environment, and our workforce. It is critical that as Congress develops AI policies and laws that tribal governments are included and can ensure our communities and our workforce are both protected and can advance as AI evolves. Senator Kelly's legislation would ensure that the American workforce, including the tribal workforce, has opportunities to grow with AI advancements through every stage of their career by providing training and workforce opportunities for apprentices, new and existing workers, and entrepreneurs. The legislation carefully balances the U.S. labor market needs to create employment pathways while ensuring consistent monitoring of AI advancements to ensure that as AI evolves it isn't just big companies who benefit. I applaud Senator Kelly's strategic approach to ensuring workforce protections at a time when AI is evolving at a rapid pace. The Community looks forward to working with Senator Kelly as he advances this bill in Congress," said Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community.

"The Pascua Yaqui Tribe believes in creating opportunities that strengthen our people and communities for generations to come. Senator Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act will give Tribal small businesses owners more opportunities to grow and create jobs as our economy changes. I appreciate his commitment to making sure Tribal communities share in the economic opportunities created by AI," said Julian Hernandez, Chairman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.

"As AI evolves it will change how the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community does business, but it does not need to change how we work together as a community," said Martin Harvier, President of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. Harvier continued, "Senator Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act will ensure that that the next generation of employees have the training and education they need to serve in their communities, and it will provide individuals whose jobs were displaced due to changing technology with a strong foundation on which to rebuild. I look forward to working with Senator Kelly and his colleagues to strengthen Arizona's economy and build a more resilient workforce in the years to come," said Martin Harvier, President, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

"I appreciate Senator Kelly's commitment to making sure some of the profits from artificial intelligence are invested in American workers who will be deeply impacted by changing technology," said Kate Gallego, Mayor, City of Phoenix.

"The future of work cannot be shaped without workers at the table. As AI changes our workplaces, workers in Tucson and across the country deserve access to the skills, support and opportunity to build a stable future paid for by the AI corporations. Senator Kelly's bill centers workers and families in our national response," said Mayor Regina Romero, City of Tucson.

Reginal Romero on X: Thank you @SenMarkKelly for introducing the Make AI Work for Americans Act! As AI reshapes our economy, workers and their families should come first, not the bottom lines of Big Tech.

"Artificial intelligence is changing how we learn, work, and create at an accelerated pace that demands we evolve in the way we manage this moment," said Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University, whose PhD in public administration was focused on science and technology policy. "Senator Mark Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act is a critical step forward at an inflection point in AI's progress, recognizing the need to equip Americans with the tools to navigate and participate in an economy being reshaped by this technology. The bill addresses AI literacy, workforce training, postsecondary education, and the needs of mid-career workers, presenting solutions that reflect the scale of the challenges ahead. ASU understands the fundamental responsibility of higher education to lead in a time of rapid technological change, and we are committed to helping drive the education and workforce approaches presented in this legislation."

Michael Crow on X: As AI transforms how we work, we need to be equally focused on expanding the opportunities people have to learn, adapt and succeed. I appreciate Sen. Mark Kelly advancing this important conversation.

"I appreciate Senator Kelly's leadership on preparing Arizona's workers and communities for the AI transition. His focus on workforce training, apprenticeships and stronger university-community college partnerships aligns directly with the work the University of Arizona is doing across our state," said Suresh Garimella, President, University of Arizona, Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

"Navajo Technical University applauds Senator Kelly for introducing the Make AI Work for Americans Act. As the nation races to build an AI-ready workforce, Native communities must be included. This legislation's focus on workforce training funding, rural broadband access, and higher education partnerships is the kind of investment that ensures AI's benefits reach Indian Country. At NTU, we are preparing the next generation of Diné engineers, data scientists, and technologists. This Act would help us scale that work and make sure Native students have a seat at the table as this technology reshapes the workforce. We urge Congress to move swiftly to pass it," saidElmer Guy, President, Navajo Technical University.

"Diné College views the AI Workforce for Americans Act as a significant opportunity to translate AI workforce policy into education, industry-recognized credentials, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity for the Navajo Nation-while ensuring that Diné sovereignty, Indigenous knowledge, language, and Tribal data are protected," said Arlando Teller, Director of Legislative & Government Affairs, Diné College.

"Arizona's community colleges are where technological change becomes opportunity for students, workers, and employers. Across our eleven independent college districts, preparing people for an AI-driven economy means connecting accessible education with the skills employers need. We support the Make AI Work for Americans Act's workforce provisions, particularly its investment in community college programs, employer partnerships, and services that help students complete their education and move into meaningful careers. We appreciate Senator Kelly's recognition that workers need opportunities to build new skills throughout their lives. From our largest cities to our rural and tribal communities, America's leadership in AI will depend on investing just as boldly in people as we do in technology," said Eric A. Heiser, PhD, President & CEO, Coconino Community College, Chair, Arizona Community College Coordinating Council (AC4).

"AI is changing our economy, and Hispanic entrepreneurs and small business owners need to be part of what comes next. That's why this bill matters: it puts real resources behind business owners and entrepreneurs who are ready to build in this new economy but need the tools and capital to do it. We thank Senator Kelly for recognizing what our community needs to grow and succeed," said Monica Villalobos, President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"Arizona's workforce is the engine of our thriving economy. As AI continues to transform key industries across Arizona, we must ensure that it creates meaningful opportunities for working families and that our workers have access to the skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy," said Mary Foote, Principal Deputy Director, Office of Economic Opportunity.

"AI is rapidly reshaping the way industries operate, and it's essential that our economic and workforce development strategies keep pace," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. "I'm grateful to Senator Kelly for his leadership in advancing U.S. technology leadership while helping ensure that every Arizonan has access to the skills, training, and pathways needed to thrive in the 21st-century economy."

"I believe this legislation's most important aspect is its proactive nature. Creating a resource that funds ongoing workforce development, education, research and labor market programs that enable residents to upskill or change industries by earning a credential or certification, or by participating in a registered apprenticeship program, will keep more Americans employed through any coming economic disruptions. In particular, we're encouraged by the inclusion of entrepreneurship and small business development as viable beneficiaries of resources generated by this proposed bill," said Kimber Lanning, CEO of Local First Arizona, the largest local business coalition in the US. "Investing in entrepreneurship is a brilliant strategy for creating long-term economic resilience across the country."

"Hustle PHX supports the Make AI Work for Americans Act because innovation should create opportunity in every community. As AI reshapes our economy, we must invest in the people who will shape its future-especially entrepreneurs, workers, and communities that have historically faced barriers to economic opportunity. We believe community empowerment means more than access to technology. It means access to skills, capital, entrepreneurship, supportive resources, and pathways to economic mobility. We encourage implementation of this legislation to prioritize underserved communities and measure success by real outcomes-jobs, income, businesses, and stronger communities," said Oye Waddell, CEO, Hustle PHX.

"Senator Kelly is right: the companies profiting most from AI built it on the knowledge and work of all of us, and some of that value has to come back to American workers. The Make AI Work for Americans Act does that. As a computer scientist and owner of a small Arizona AI firm, I see the other half of the equation every day. Small and medium businesses, which generate nearly half of our economy, want to adopt AI but can't afford the expertise to do it well. This bill's investment in community college training and in technical assistance for small businesses adopting AI points the way: helping employers redesign jobs around the people they already have, so workers stay employed rather than only being supported after they fall. It is also how America wins the AI race with China: not only by building the most powerful models, but by putting AI to work across our entire economy," said Loretta H. Cheeks, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, DS Innovation & Strong TIES.

Click here to read the full text of the bill, here for a section-by-section, and here for a one-pager.

See what stakeholders are saying about Make AI Work for Americans Act here.