2. News Room

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Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence Continues Efforts to Identify Priorities for Training, Education, and Employment Solutions

MADISON – The rise of artificial intelligence technologies means new opportunities for workers to pursue family-supporting careers and for employers to gain a competitive edge while managing the labor market quantity challenge, members of the Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence learned at this month's meeting.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin's longstanding partnerships among educators, labor groups, employers, workforce development organizations, and economic development leaders put the state in a strong position to advance equity and economic opportunity through training and other strategic investments in AI, task force members heard.

"Wisconsin's partnerships to deliver workforce training and educational solutions are among the state's greatest strengths," said Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek, who chairs the AI task force. "Already, we are seeing state educational leaders introducing AI coursework, while some regional workforce development organizations are offering training. However, we know that more comprehensive efforts will be needed, and the task force is working to connect the dots among employers, employees, and job seekers."

“AI is a challenge that is going to take all of us working together to get right, and I’m excited for the opportunities we have to connect underutilized talent pools with AI skills and jobs,” said DOA Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, who leads the task force's Equity and Economic Opportunity Subcommittee.

"While a number of Wisconsin employers are adopting AI technologies, a recent survey by the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity notes that there is also a perception gap, with a majority of manufacturers indicating they do not believe AI will have an impact on businesses like theirs," said Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. "The Governor's Task Force will continue to focus on this issue in future meetings, to assure Wisconsin's workforce preparedness and the ability to compete in the global marketplace."

At the meeting, task force speakers included:

• Eric Baumgartner, executive vice president of academics at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Baumgartner highlighted MSOE’s leadership in developing an AI-focused curriculum, including the recent launch of a master's degree in machine learning and certificates in other AI-related topics. The private university now has 22 full-time faculty members focused on AI and is engaging with employers ranging from nationwide retailers and e-commerce companies to some of the state's largest manufacturers.
• Dennis Winters, DWD's chief labor market economist. Winters shared data on occupations most likely to be affected by AI, including computer and mathematical occupations, architecture and engineering, business and financial positions, and more. Winters also shared recent statewide successes in connecting individuals with disabilities, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and individuals with low incomes to new skills and job opportunities through Gov. Tony Evers' Workforce Solutions Initiative. The federally funded training models developed through these programs hold promise for increasing digital literacy and AI skills among these underutilized talent pools.
• Edward Van Buren, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and Deloitte’s Government and Public Services AI strategic growth leader. Van Buren shared details 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. Under the Executive Order, the U.S. Department of Labor is charged with publishing principles and best practices to aid employers in leveraging AI technology for workforce purposes.

The meeting also featured work by the task force's three subcommittees: Industries, Occupations, and Skills; Equity and Economic Opportunity; and Workforce Development and Educational Solutions.

The meeting was held in-person at Milwaukee Area Technical College's Downtown Campus, 1015 N. Sixth St., Milwaukee, WI 53233, and included a tour of MATC's robotics laboratory.

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.

The next meeting of Governor's Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2023 and will be held virtually., 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.

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