A new bipartisan nonprofit has launched with more than $500 million in initial funding to address the potential labor market disruptions posed by artificial intelligence (AI) across the United States. Founded by former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, the organization, known as RAISE US, aims to help American workers adapt to a rapidly evolving economy increasingly influenced by AI automation.

RAISE US plans to partner with state governments and major employers rather than rely on federal intervention to develop and pilot education and training programs. The nonprofit is currently collaborating with officials in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah, as well as a range of large corporations including Amazon, Microsoft, Anthropic, the OpenAI Foundation, Bank of America, UPS, General Motors, Eli Lilly, Mastercard, AMD, Cisco, and IBM.

The initiative seeks to forge closer connections between schools and employers to facilitate the transition of workers from roles threatened by AI to new jobs offering potentially higher wages. Beyond workforce retraining, RAISE US is exploring policy proposals such as corporate tax adjustments and incentives to encourage sustained employment amid automation.

Raimondo, who served as commerce secretary in the Biden administration and was instrumental in shaping AI policy, serves as the nonprofit’s CEO. The organization’s advisory board includes notable figures such as former House Speaker Paul Ryan, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and economists David Autor, Erik Brynjolfsson, and Raj Chetty.

A recent analysis by the Boston Consulting Group estimated that up to half of U.S. jobs will experience significant changes due to AI within the next few years, with as many as 25 million positions potentially eliminated over five years. Goldman Sachs recently projected that a quarter of U.S. work hours could be automated by AI in the near future. These projections underscore concerns among some experts about widespread unemployment and economic instability, while others highlight AI’s potential to create new industries and opportunities.

Raimondo emphasized the urgency of addressing AI-driven labor shifts, warning that unchecked unemployment could destabilize the country and democracy itself. “If you want to lead the world in AI, you have to take action to make sure our democracy doesn’t crumble,” she said.

Despite these concerns, President Donald Trump has downplayed the risk of job losses due to AI automation, stating before a visit to a Mack Trucks factory that truckers currently face no threat to their employment. Trump has instead highlighted AI-related infrastructure projects as drivers of economic growth, although manufacturing and transportation sectors have seen job declines since the start of his second term.

Some experts note that existing social safety nets and education systems are ill-equipped to handle the scale and speed of AI-induced economic changes. Neuroscientist Vivienne Ming pointed out that the skills needed in an AI-driven economy extend beyond traditional trades to include intellectual flexibility and curiosity, qualities not adequately fostered by the current system.

RAISE US aims to function as a testing ground for programs and policies at the state level that could eventually inform federal legislation. Raimondo expressed skepticism about near-term congressional action on AI labor issues but hopes that successful state initiatives will pave the way for broader reforms in tax policy and education.