Support Rolls in from Labor, Workforce Leaders for Kelly’s Make AI Work for Americans Act

Last week, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Make AI Work for Americans Act, landmark legislation designed to make sure companies benefiting the most from AI pay their fair share and invest in American workers. The bill establishes a dedicated federal trust fund to support American workers, job seekers, and communities as the economy changes. Since its introduction, the bill has received broad support from national and local labor and workforce organizations and leaders.

See what supporters of the Make AI Work for Americans Act are saying here:

"Innovation and safety are not opposing concepts; they're two sides of the same coin. That is why law and regulation, not just unbridled markets, are so important. Technology is rapidly transforming our lives-particularly our security, our classrooms, our workplaces, and our entire economy-but for it to be tenable, it must work for working people. Sen. Mark Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act ensures that a Big Tech tax contributes directly to the workers and communities navigating this transition. By creating the AI Horizon Fund and bringing labor and workers to the table, this bill invests in America by preparing people at every stage of their careers with the skills, stability, and opportunities they need to thrive," said Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers.

"The Make AI Work for Americans Act recognizes the critical nature of ensuring that AI protects and creates good jobs while prioritizing putting working people at the table for responsible implementation," said Sean M. O'Brien, General President, Teamsters. "We commend Senator Kelly for his work in drafting legislation that focuses on the dignity of work and creates pathways to protect workers and support them as their job evolves. That's the approach we need to earn workers' trust and grow the American middle class."

"As AI transforms the American workforce, people deserve a voice in what comes next. Senator Kelly's legislation holds big tech companies accountable for how AI affects workers and their communities. That's especially important in Arizona, where many are concerned about what this technology means for their jobs. This bill is a strong step forward," said Jim McLaughlin, President, UFCW Local 99.

"As we move into the future with a strong AI presence, Teamsters Local 104 supports Senator Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act. While corporations deter the working class from thriving, this bill will establish a fund to protect workers and support apprenticeships. Unions built this country, and with Senator Kelly's bill, unions will continue to thrive for generations to come. As we see increased deployment of AI, it is essential that working people are not left behind, and that new technologies come with good jobs and the requisite training to help workers move forward. We appreciate Senator Kelly's focus on these key issues," said Karla E. Schumann, Secretary-Treasurer, Principal Officer, Teamsters Local 104.

"A safe AI future and a fair AI economy are two sides of the same promise. With one in five American workers expected to be Latino by 2030, our community has an enormous stake in seeing that promise kept. Senator Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act ensures that as the AI industry grows, so do our investments in the workers who power the American economy. This legislation invests in paid service-to-career pathways, community college and apprenticeship programs, and capital for new small businesses. It gives workers who lose their jobs real stability as they retrain and find their next opportunity; and it helps close the digital divide by supporting digital access for participants, building AI literacy into our workforce system, and making resources available to people with limited English proficiency. It also gives workers and civil rights organizations a seat at the table as AI enters the workplace. This legislation lays the foundation for modernizing how we support workers and workplaces in the age of AI. UnidosUS is proud to endorse it and urges Congress to pass it," said Eric Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, UnidosUS.

"Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the nature of work, and our workforce development systems must evolve alongside it. JFF is proud to support the Make AI Work for Americans Act, which invests in the systems already serving workers while expanding access to education and training, strengthening service-to-career pathways, supporting entrepreneurship, and helping workers navigate technological change. We applaud Senator Kelly's leadership in advancing a vision for AI that puts workers at the center and helps ensure technological progress creates greater economic opportunity for people and communities across the country," said Maria Flynn, President and CEO, Jobs for the Future (JFF).

"The greatest barrier to older Americans participating in the AI economy is not their willingness to learn, but access to opportunities. Older Americans are ready to embrace AI and develop the skills needed to succeed in a changing workplace. What they need is access to training and investments in their potential. Our economy cannot afford to overlook this extraordinary source of talent," said Gary. A. Officer, Founder & CEO, CWI Labs.

"Arizona's community colleges are where technological change becomes opportunity for students, workers, and employers. Across our eleven independent college districts, preparing people for an AI-driven economy means connecting accessible education with the skills employers need. We support the Make AI Work for Americans Act's workforce provisions, particularly its investment in community college programs, employer partnerships, and services that help students complete their education and move into meaningful careers. We appreciate Senator Kelly's recognition that workers need opportunities to build new skills throughout their lives. From our largest cities to our rural and tribal communities, America's leadership in AI will depend on investing just as boldly in people as we do in technology," said Eric A. Heiser, PhD, President & CEO, Coconino Community College, Chair, Arizona Community College Coordinating Council (AC4).

Click here to read the full text of the bill, here for a section-by-section, and here for a one-pager.

See what stakeholders are saying about Make AI Work for Americans Act here.