Warner, Rounds Unveil Bipartisan Plan to Prepare American Workers for AI-Driven Workforce Changes

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced the Economy of the Future Commission Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at developing practical solutions to help American workers adapt to the rapid economic and workforce changes driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The legislation will bring together policymakers and experts from across industries to identify steps Congress can take to strengthen workforce training, support workers as jobs evolve, and ensure the United States remains globally competitive in an AI-driven economy.

"AI is going to transform nearly every sector of our economy," said Sen. Warner. "The question isn't whether these changes are coming - it's whether we are prepared. We need clear-eyed analysis and practical, bipartisan solutions to help workers gain new skills, support people whose jobs are disrupted, and make sure the United States leads the world in the industries of the future. This legislation is about bringing together the expertise needed to chart that path forward."

"American dominance in AI is a matter of both economic and national security," said Sen. Rounds. "America's workforce must be equipped to lead the transformation of the economy happening due to AI. This commission would help keep America ahead of our global competitors and keep America prosperous and innovative."

Under the legislation, the Economy of the Future Commission would develop recommendations to help policymakers address the economic and workforce impacts of AI. Within seven months of enactment, the commission would publish an interim report outlining expected employment changes from AI and providing accessible resources for the public to better understand the technology. Within 13 months, it would deliver a final report with legislative recommendations on issues including AI education and workforce training, reskilling for workers affected by automation, unemployment insurance policy, taxation policy, and strategies to maintain U.S. leadership in key industries such as technology and manufacturing.

The commission would include bipartisan members of Congress alongside leading experts from industry, academia, and government agencies focused on education, labor, commerce, and economic policy.

This legislation is endorsed by Americans for Responsible Innovation; Alliance for Secure AI; Dr. Eric Brynjolfsson, Professor at Stanford and Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab; Ali Crawford, Senior Research Analyst, Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET); President Gregory Washington, George Mason University; Google; IBM; Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF); President James C. Schmidt, James Madison University; Jobs for the Future; Meta; Microsoft; National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU); Shalin Jyotishi, Managing Director at the Future of Work and Innovation Initiative, New America; President Anne M. Kress, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA); Partnership for Public Service; SeedAI; Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP); Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); Third Way; President Scott C. Beardsley, University of Virginia; President Tim Sands, Virginia Tech; and William & Mary.

"Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our economy, and policymakers must act now to ensure workers and learners are not left behind. The Economy of the Future Commission Act creates a bipartisan, expert-driven forum to develop practical solutions across education, workforce development, and worker supports. At Jobs for the Future, we believe this commission is a critical step toward aligning innovation with opportunity and ensuring the benefits of AI are broadly shared," said Maria Flynn, President & CEO, Jobs for the Future.

"The bipartisan Economy of the Future Commission Act takes a proven, consensus-driven approach to preparing the U.S. economy for the AI transition. As AI reshapes jobs, skills, and productivity across every sector, it is critical that Congress advance thoughtful solutions to support workers and long-term economic growth. We believe this legislation offers a pragmatic, bipartisan path forward at a pivotal moment for the U.S. workforce. Microsoft strongly supports Senator Warner and Senator Rounds' efforts and thanks them for their leadership," said Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft.

"AI is already dramatically reshaping our country's workforce and economy. Lawmakers have to act before advanced AI puts Americans' economic security at risk. The Economy of the Future Commission Act is a smart, bipartisan approach to developing legislative solutions that protect working Americans and their families. This is an important first step to navigating the AI-era economy, and Congress must continue working to guarantee that federal AI policy keeps Americans' livelihoods at the center," said Brendan Steinhauser, CEO, The Alliance for Secure AI.

"For all the hype and anxiety surrounding AI, the honest truth is we still have far more questions than answers about how this technology will reshape our economy. What we need is sober, bipartisan, whole-of-society analysis, not overconfident or alarmist predictions. The Economy of the Future Commission Act delivers that by bringing together policymakers, technologists, educators, and workforce experts to produce rigorous, consensus recommendations. SeedAI commends Senators Warner and Rounds for their leadership on this critical topic," said Josh New, Director of Policy, SeedAI.

"BPC Action applauds Sens. Rounds (R-SD) and Warrner (D-VA) for taking an important step forward on artificial intelligence. The need for a thoughtful national dialogue on AI and its impacts, particularly its impact on the workforce, has never been greater, and it's encouraging to see a bipartisan effort bringing together voices from government, industry, and civil society to tackle such a complex issue. We must work together across our government to ensure workers have the skills, training, and support they need to stay connected to the workforce and succeed in a changing economy," said Michele Stockwell, President, Bipartisan Policy Center.

"Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape the economy in ways we are only beginning to understand," said Americans for Responsible Innovation President Brad Carson. "The Economy of the Future Commission Act creates a bipartisan forum where Congress can seriously examine the opportunities and disruptions ahead and develop smart policy responses. That kind of bipartisan foundation is essential to building durable AI policy that strengthens American workers, innovation, and economic leadership."

"AI has the potential to be the most transformative engine for growth in human history, but that growth isn't guaranteed to be inclusive. The Economy of the Future Commission Act recognizes that we cannot leave the transition to chance. By bringing together experts in technology, education, and taxation, this commission will provide the essential roadmap needed to ensure that AI-driven productivity gains translate into broad-based economic opportunity," said Dr. Erik Brynjolfsson, Professor at Stanford and Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.

"Artificial intelligence is evolving at a pace that demands forward-looking leadership. The Economy of the Future Commission Act rises to that challenge by bringing together a bipartisan group of experts and policymakers to chart a path forward for our country. We applaud Senator Warner for introducing this legislation and encourage all lawmakers to focus on how AI is impacting the federal workforce - an essential component of ensuring our government can deliver on its mission responsibly and effectively," said Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service.

"The AI transition will reshape every sector of the American economy, creating enormous opportunities for growth, competitiveness, and productivity. By establishing the Economy of the Future Commission, this bill will provide policymakers the evidence-based, consensus-driven recommendations they need to turn that transformation into a competitive advantage for American workers, businesses, and industries," said the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF).

"In this era of transformation, the United States must recognize that workforce readiness is a paramount national security priority; it is the decisive factor in the struggle for strategic advantage," said Ylli Bajraktari, President of the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) Action Program. "The outcome of the global technological competition will be determined by our ability to mobilize human capital through reskilling and education. This Commission provides the essential flightpath to cultivate an AI-ready workforce and sustain the enduring vigor of our economic growth and national security."

"As artificial intelligence is continuously integrated into the mainstream economy, it is imperative that workforce policy responds in a timely and coordinated manner. But workforce development infrastructure is largely segmented at a time when cohesion is necessary to coordinate a federal response that effectively aligns industry momentum and demand with existing and scalable workforce development programming. Among other directives, this bill would establish and direct a Commission to develop evidence-based recommendations that connect workforce development to near-term demand, estimate changes in employment, and identify skills and training needs as a result-all of which are necessary to ensure economic competitiveness and resilience," said Ali Crawford, Senior Research Analyst, Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET).

"The Economy of the Future Commission Act represents a sensible, even-keeled, and bipartisan proposal to comprehensively assess how the federal government can best support Americans in navigating the impacts of AI on our economy and labor market," said Shalin Jyotishi, Founder & Managing Director of the Future of Work & Innovation Economy Initiative, New America. "We look forward to supporting Senators Warner and Rounds in realizing the promise of this vision for a better future for workers and families."

"Artificial intelligence can reshape the economy, the workforce, and education at all levels. The Warner-Rounds legislation is an important step forward in helping the United States find appropriate, consensus legislation that will help address the potentially disruptive nature of this very transformative technological innovation," said President Tim Sands, Virginia Tech.

"UVA stands ready to work with Congress to advance responsible AI innovation and ensure our nation is prepared to thrive in the economy of the future. The bipartisan commitment led by Senator Mark Warner, Economy of the Future Commission Act, reflects a thoughtful commitment to understanding how AI will reshape our workforce, education systems, and economy," said President Scott C. Beardsley, University of Virginia.

"On behalf of George Mason University, I commend Sen. Mark Warner and his colleague Sen. Mike Rounds for their important legislation, Economy of the Future Commission Act. By developing consensus legislative recommendations to address changes brought on by artificial intelligence, the Commission would provide a degree of certainty and stability surrounding AI technologies. This would be a tremendous help not only for institutions of higher education, but for the nation as a whole. George Mason, as Virginia's largest public university and a national leader in AI research and education, would welcome the passage of this bill," said President Gregory Washington, George Mason University.

"James Madison University (JMU) is pleased to endorse the establishment of the Economy of the Future Commission (EFC). We value the foresight and strategic intent driving this effort. As technology rapidly evolves, the nation must prepare for significant shifts in the workforce landscape," said President James C. Schmidt, James Madison University.

"Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is already seeing AI reshape our region's workforce-creating new roles, eliminating legacy positions, and driving incumbent workers to rapidly upskill. The Economy of the Future Commission Act, introduced by Senators Warner and Rounds, will help community colleges across the country continue serving as regional economic engines by providing the clearer understanding of future career pathways needed to inform our programs and partnerships. NOVA thanks Senators Warner and Rounds for their important leadership at this critical moment," said Anna M. Kress, PhD, President, Northern Virginia Community College.

"The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities is pleased to endorse the bipartisan Economy of the Future Commission Act, which will develop multi-jurisdictional legislative recommendations addressing a range of challenges arising from the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).? The Commission will help strengthen the essential partnership between the federal government and higher education as the nation navigates economic and educational changes driven by the integration of AI in the workplace and at schools and colleges across the United States," said Karin Johns, Director of Tax and Workforce Policy, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

"More workers and businesses are using AI every day, a shift that is rapidly reshaping the workplace and will accelerate in the months and years ahead. SHRM research shows that nearly half of U.S. workers are using AI in their jobs, placing HR and business leaders on the front lines of helping organizations adapt while supporting workers through rapid change. As the voice of HR professionals and the employers they represent, SHRM supports the Economy of the Future Commission Act of 2026 and believes employer and HR perspectives are essential to ensuring that both workers and businesses succeed in an increasingly AI-integrated economy," said the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

"Artificial intelligence is smart, so Washington must get smarter. We can rely on the industry for innovation, but not on ensuring the United States leads the economy of the future or that Americans will benefit widely from it. This commission is an urgent, bipartisan step to harness whole-of-society expertise and address the economy-wide changes AI will bring," said Ruth Whittaker, Director of Technology Policy, Third Way.

Sen. Warner has been leading the charge in Congress to ensure American workers have the skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy and to improve understanding of how emerging technologies are reshaping the labor market. In March, Warner urged the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Census Bureau to expand data collection and public reporting on the impact of AI on the U.S. workforce. In December, Warner introduced the Investing in American Workers Act to modernize the tax code to encourage employers to invest in workforce training tied to recognized postsecondary credentials so employees can adapt to new technologies, transition into emerging roles, and share in the gains of a rapidly evolving economy. In November, Warner introduced the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act requiring major companies and federal agencies to report AI related layoffs to the Department of Labor to be compiled into a public report.

Read the full bill here. Read a section-by-section summary of the bill here.

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