As the regulatory future of AI is still in debate at a national level, some are charging forward to create their own policy, as seen at the local level and the state level in places like Pennsylvania, Virginia and Oklahoma.
Wisconsin’s Task Force will be administered by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in coordination with the Department of Administration (DOA) and Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The first meeting is set to take place on Monday, Oct. 30, the same day President Joe Biden is expected to announce federal AI guidance.
The Task Force’s goal is to identify policy and investment opportunities that will help advance the state workforce for employers, workers and jobseekers.
Appointees to the Task Force include DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek, DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and more. Members represent a variety of organizations, combining public-, private- and education-sector expertise.
“At DWD, we pioneered the use of AI to resolve a backlog of unemployment insurance claims during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pechacek in the announcement. “We want to continue Wisconsin’s leadership with a workforce ready to capitalize on the opportunities of this fourth industrial revolution.”
Pechacek underlined that Wisconsin’s low unemployment rate, high number of jobs and record budget surplus are contributing factors for positioning the state well to leverage AI opportunities.
As Hughes stated in the announcement, AI is already being deployed in Wisconsin in a variety of fields such as health care, transportation and agriculture.
The Task Force will be divided into three subcommittees. The first will explore industries, occupations and skill sets most likely to be impacted by AI, focusing on both employee and employer needs. The second will focus on the equity aspect of AI transformation. The third will leverage the work of the first two subcommittees to identify policy, education and budget solutions to bolster the state’s economy.
The Task Force was first announced in August, created by Evers through the signing of Executive Order 211. More information about the work can be found on DWD’s webpage.
