As concerns grow that artificial intelligence could displace millions of American workers, lawmakers from both parties are exploring ways to strengthen the nation’s economic safety net, though many proposals have stalled in Congress, The New York Times reports.
The latest initiative, the Stability and Opportunity for Workers Act, introduced by Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, would expand unemployment insurance by increasing benefits during periods of high unemployment, broadening eligibility and providing up to 26 additional weeks of assistance for workers displaced by technology to learn new skills.
Other proposals include bipartisan legislation from Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Mark Warner, D-Va., requiring companies to report AI-related layoffs, as well as Democratic plans to tax technology companies to fund worker benefits, training and infrastructure projects. The legislative push comes amid uncertainty about AI’s economic impact.
While economists have not identified evidence of widespread AI-driven job losses across the labor market, a Goldman Sachs report finds signs that AI-related hiring challenges have contributed to slower-than-expected job growth in some technology-sensitive industries. Some industry leaders predict substantial productivity gains and the creation of new job categories, while others warn that rapid automation could disrupt millions of livelihoods.
Political divisions remain a significant obstacle, with Republicans generally favoring a hands-off approach to AI development and Democrats emphasizing protections for displaced workers. Technology companies have offered limited support for specific legislation, although Anthropic recently announced plans to allocate a portion of its stock to a public-benefit fund.
Questions about funding, eligibility and the scale of potential job losses remain unresolved.
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