NGA and RAISE US Launch $1 Million Initiative to Prepare State Workforces for AI
The partnership aims to standardize state-level AI policies and workforce infrastructure to prevent job displacement.
The National Governors Association (NGA) and RAISE US have established a $1 million partnership to accelerate the development of state-level AI policies. The initiative ensures that the rapid integration of artificial intelligence supports the American workforce rather than replacing it.
According to the NGA, the partnership provides governors with real-time data and proven strategies to scale AI-ready workforce infrastructure. The collaboration focuses on concrete policy solutions, including retraining incentives, short-term credentials mapped directly to employer demand, and "earn-and-learn" apprenticeships. RAISE US is already implementing these strategies through its AI-Ready States program in partnership with governors in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah.
The State-Led Approach
This announcement is part of a broader effort by the NGA to coordinate a national response to automation. In January, the NGA launched a bipartisan Working Group on AI & the Future of Work, which is developing a comprehensive roadmap for governors scheduled for release in November.
During a panel discussion featuring the announcement, RAISE US co-founder Eric Holcomb noted that the most effective workforce ideas rarely originate in Washington, but instead scale within statehouses, community colleges, or corporate HR departments. This philosophy positions state governments as the primary laboratories for workforce innovation.
Implications for the Labor Market
As AI transforms the labor market, the partnership seeks to prevent a fragmented state-by-state response to job displacement. By standardizing "worker-first" strategies, the initiative aims to maintain economic competitiveness through human-centric technology integration.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized the urgency of the transition, stating there is "no time to waste" in mobilizing government, educators, and employers to ensure workers are not left behind. Similarly, Utah Governor Spencer Cox highlighted the focus of Utah’s "Pro-Human AI Initiative," which aims for a future where technology works for people rather than the reverse.
Next Steps
Industry observers will be watching for the NGA's official roadmap in November to see how these state-level pilots are synthesized into a national strategy. The immediate focus remains on the expansion of the AI-Ready States program and the deployment of the $1 million in funding to refine workforce retraining models.