Governor’s Task Force on Workforce
and Artificial Intelligence

Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are profoundly shaping the nature of work, altering the skills workers need for success, changing the competitive landscape for employers, and forcing educational and workforce development systems to overhaul their offerings to sustain a thriving Wisconsin economy. Already, Wisconsin employers and educational institutions are implementing AI applications in fields ranging from manufacturing and health care to transportation, agriculture, and the sciences.

At the same time, the rise of generative AI offers the potential to advance equity and economic opportunity for the people of Wisconsin. To help harness these technologies and strengthen Wisconsin's workforce for the 21st century and beyond, Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #211 on Aug. 23, 2023, creating the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence.

Task Force Membership

The task force was chaired by Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek, with additional leadership from Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, and Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. Task Force Members that were appointed by the governor included leaders from business, agriculture, education, technology, labor, workforce development, and government.

Task Force Charge

The Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence was charged with gathering and analyzing information to produce an advisory action plan for the governor. The action plan was charged with:

• Identifying the current state of generative AI's impact on Wisconsin’s labor market,
• Developing informed predictions regarding its opportunities and impact for the near term and into the future,
• Identifying how these workforce opportunities and impacts may touch Wisconsin's key industries, occupations, and foundational skillsets,
• Exploring initiatives to advance equity and economic opportunity in the face of these changes, and
• Based on these findings, recommend policy directions and investments related to workforce development and educational systems to capitalize on the AI transformation.

Action Plan and Public Input

The task force concluded its work and published its advisory action plan in July 2024, which assessed the current and future impact of AI on Wisconsin’s labor market. The plan included policy recommendations in the areas of education, government, workforce development, and economic development, with a strong emphasis on increasing investments in education and training, particularly for workers in industries most affected by AI and automation.

While the action plan focuses on potential policies and investments for the coming three to five years, the strategic directions it established may have far-reaching implications for workers, employers, job seekers, and economic development.