Support Rolls in for Kelly’s AI for America

Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released AI for America, a new roadmap to make AI work for all Americans, not just a few big companies, by making AI firms part of the solution. The plan establishes an AI Horizon Fund, fueled by contributions from leading AI companies that would provide the resources needed to reinvest in workers, infrastructure, and responsible deployment.

Read the full plan here.

Since its release this morning, the plan has received broad support from labor leaders, business and tech entrepreneurs, former senior government officials, and academic experts.

Here's what supporters of AI for America are saying:

Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce: "Senator Mark Kelly's roadmap really nails the challenges we are all wrestling with around workforce transitions and getting our education system ready for AI. He addresses the need for real investment in workers and education and challenges us to cut red tape by streamlining accreditation, getting rid of barriers that keep workers from moving around, and creating better frameworks for innovation. I look forward to working with Senator Kelly on these ideas moving forward."

Julie Su, former United States Deputy Secretary of Labor: "Senator Kelly puts it plainly: AI should be a benefit to all, not a detriment to most while creating record wealth for a select few. The Senator's proposals would make those who profit from AI take responsibility for ensuring that the gains generated by AI are shared with workers, not made at their expense."

David Turk, Former United States Deputy Secretary of Energy: "Congress must ensure that AI-a truly transformational technology-benefits all Americans, from helping Americans navigate job uncertainties, to protecting against those who would use AI for malicious purposes; from harnessing AI to solve our toughest challenges to reducing Americans' electricity bills. Senator Kelly's creativity, courage, and bipartisan approach is critical to ensuring this becomes our shared reality."

Luis von Ahn, Co-founder and CEO of Duolingo: "None of us know exactly what's going to happen with AI, but I do know it's going to fundamentally change the way we work. Senator Kelly's roadmap looks forward to making sure we get ahead of that change. As someone who has started multiple tech companies, I see the need to invest in people, education, and communities, so this technology becomes a tool to improve lives."

Jon Shirley, former president, chief operating officer, and director of Microsoft: "Senator Kelly's proposal takes on the real challenges surrounding AI, from preparing young people and retraining workers who are struggling to find jobs, to addressing the power and water demands of data centers. These are not problems that companies or the market can solve alone. It will take bipartisan commitment and government leadership to bring industry to the table, and I believe this roadmap is the right way to start that process."

Sean O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters: "AI is moving fast, but what matters is whether it protects and creates good jobs. Senator Kelly understands that organized labor needs to be at the table so AI is implemented responsibly. His focus is on the dignity that comes with a good job, and his plan lays out 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."

Laphonza Butler, former U.S. Senator: "AI is transforming our economy at a pace that demands answers. Senator Kelly is asking the right questions-how to protect workers, create fair pathways to good paying jobs, and make sure communities aren't left behind. His AI for America roadmap is the right way to start this conversation, and it's critical that unions and workers have a strong voice as this future takes shape."

Michael Crow, Arizona State University President: "Our need to evolve is constant. AI is coming on fast and its impact is shaking things up. But there is incredible potential to be explored. This is a moment for everyone to expand their thinking and to adapt, just as humans have for generations. We have to dive in and figure it out together."

Suresh Garimella, President of the University of Arizona: "As AI fuels new opportunities for growth and economic competitiveness, the University of Arizona is leveraging it for research discoveries, national security, and improved health outcomes. We appreciate Senator Kelly's work to foster this growth."

Bharat Ramamurti, Former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council of the United States: "AI could have big benefits for workers and the economy-but only if our government writes new rules to ensure that prosperity is broadly shared. Senator Kelly's report offers strong ideas to help ensure working people are cut in on the benefits of AI."

Jason Goldman, former Chief Digital Officer of the White House: "Senator Kelly understands that American leadership in AI can lead to an era of increased productivity and scientific discovery. To do that, we need to work together to build trust in how these new systems are built and used. That includes: trust in knowing we will have the necessary skills for how to use AI in our work; trust that consumers are protected; and trust that the benefits will extend fairly to everyone. His AI for America roadmap is a great way to jumpstart the conversation we need to be having in Washington, in Silicon Valley, and across the country."

Claudia Ruiz, Senior Policy Advisor for Civil Rights at UnidosUS: "America stands at a defining moment in the AI transformation and Senator Kelly's "AI for America" framework recognizes that our greatest asset is our people. By establishing new mechanisms that leverage the success of the tech and AI industry to expand educational pathways, worker upskilling initiatives, and community investments, this framework offers a sustainable model where breakthrough technologies can create breakthrough opportunities for all Americans while also keeping essential utilities affordable for working families."

Maria Flynn, President & CEO, Jobs for the Future (JFF): "At Jobs for the Future, our North Star is to ensure that 75 million people in the U.S. are in quality jobs by 2033 - and that requires making sure every worker has access to the skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy. Senator Kelly's framework underscores the importance of upskilling, reskilling, and modernizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) so that both current and future workers can seize opportunity in this new era. This paper helps set the tone for how the public and private sector can come together to ensure that artificial intelligence expands career pathways and drives shared prosperity for all."

Jim McLaughlin, President of UCFW Local 99 and President of the Arizona AFL-CIO: "Technology has always changed the workplace, but never at this speed. What matters now is whether working families share in the benefits. Senator Kelly's AI for America plan calls for protections against intrusive surveillance and worker data misuse, while also laying out a path to protect good jobs, expansion of labor-management training programs, and hold companies accountable to the people who power this economy. For Arizona's labor movement, that's a step in the right direction."

Karla Schumann, Secretary-Treasurer for Teamsters Local 104: "Teamsters know that when companies cut corners, it's workers and families who pay the price. Senator Kelly's roadmap takes a different approach-calling on big companies to invest in labor-management training programs, and build real pathways to the middle class. That's how we make sure AI delivers good jobs and stronger communities, not just higher profits."

Erik Brynjolfsson, Stanford Digital Economy Lab: "AI is the defining technology of our era, and this roadmap rightly emphasizes that leadership requires more than just algorithms and chips. We must invest in workers, infrastructure, and trust so that innovation benefits the many, not just the few. By aligning economic incentives with shared prosperity, we can build an AI economy that is both dynamic and inclusive."

Costa Samaras Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University: "Decades of federal investment in science and technology have enabled the U.S. to be the global leader in artificial intelligence. The pace of innovation in AI is accelerating, bringing new opportunities but also new challenges for communities and our energy grid. Keeping America at the forefront of the AI revolution requires new investment and public private partnerships to grow an AI-ready workforce and a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for everyone. Senator Kelly's AI for America Roadmap is a commonsense approach that can supercharge AI innovation and investment in the United States, improve energy affordability, and protect the environment."

Dr. Christophe Combemale, Carnegie Mellon University: "Senator Kelly's framework recognizes the transformative potential of AI on our economy and our society, but most importantly that we have choices about how that technology is implemented. This is also a rapidly evolving technology, and the AI for America framework highlights that training programs and workforce data must keep pace. Lasting gains from AI will depend on how it diffuses throughout our economy, and smart investments extend well beyond technology development alone."

Dr. Daron Acemoglu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): "Harnessing AI for the social good, rather than allowing it to become a driver of greater inequality and instability, is one of the defining challenge of our age. I'm so happy to see Sen. Kelly take on this topic with a bold and grounded approach. It is a breath of fresh air to see the emphasis on the resources of our society that have underpinned our success in tech and make sure that these resources are strengthened instead of being squandered by a dangerous AI race."

Read the full plan here.