A new bipartisan bill would require major companies and federal agencies to report artificial intelligence-related layoffs to the Department of Labor.
Sens. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican, and Mark Warner, Virginia Democrat, crafted the bill because they are concerned that AI will drive unemployment up, and they want to better understand how the new technology is affecting the workforce.
“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,” Mr. Warner said 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 require quarterly reports about AI-related layoffs, job displacement and hires, among others.
Reports would be sent to the Department of Labor, which would compile the data into a publicly available report.
“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,” Mr. Hawley said.
Companies are revamping workforce structures to include AI developments, causing fear of widespread job loss across various sectors of the economy.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.
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