Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 29, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence Sets Dec. 4 Meeting in Milwaukee

Task Force to Gain Insights on Presidential Order on Safety and Security, Discuss Initial Findings from Industries, Occupations, and Skills, and Equity and Economic Opportunity Subcommittees

MADISON – A Dec. 4 meeting of the Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence will cover efforts among some Wisconsin companies to implement AI technologies, review occupations in the state's most rapidly growing economic sectors that may be affected by AI, and offer an update on federal measures to address AI safety, security, and privacy.

The meeting also will feature initial findings regarding opportunities and challenges from task force subcommittees focused on Industries, Occupations, and Skills, and Equity and Economic Opportunity.

The meeting will be held in-person at Milwaukee Area Technical College's Downtown Campus, 1015 N. Sixth St., Milwaukee, WI 53233, and will include the option for a tour of MATC's robotics laboratory starting at noon. The task force and subcommittee meetings will run from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and will include an online attendance option. Register for the in-person or online event options via EventBrite.

"We are excited to continue the work of the Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence as fast-moving developments in AI continue to shape considerations for Wisconsin's workforce," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek, who chairs the task force. "While the state's economic winning streak continues, it's critical to develop a strategic approach to the investments needed to adapt and equip a workforce capable of capitalizing on the AI transformation."

Featured speakers at the task force meeting include:

Eric Baumgartner, executive vice president of academics at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Baumgartner will highlight MSOE’s efforts to produce an AI-ready workforce and provide advanced educational opportunities to help some Wisconsin companies implement and adapt AI technologies to maintain competitiveness.
Dennis Winters, DWD's chief labor market economist. Winters will explore how the state's most rapidly growing economic sectors may align with AI technologies and review opportunities to connect underutilized talent pools with AI skills.
Edward Van Buren, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and Deloitte’s Government and Public Services AI strategic growth leader. Van Buren will provide an overview of President Biden's Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence, which charges the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other federal agencies with establishing standards for AI safety, security, privacy, fraud detection, and more. Establishment of federal standards sets the stage for Wisconsin's task force to focus on the needs of workers, employers, and community members to keep Wisconsin's economy thriving.

To assist the task force in its work, interested members of the public are invited to participate in a brief SurveyMonkey survey.

The Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence is bringing together leaders from business, agriculture, education, technology, labor, workforce development, and government to identify policies and investments that will advance Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through this technological transformation. The task force is chaired by the secretary of the Department of Workforce Development or a designee with additional leadership from the secretary of the Department of Administration or a designee and the secretary of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. or a designee.

Keep up with task force activities by signing up for email notifications and learn more about the task force here. Find Gov. Evers' Executive Order #211 creating the task force here.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.