NEWYORK: Governor Kathy Hochul convened a meeting of her nation-leading FutureWorks Commission, as it prepares recommendations that will shape policies to protect workers across New York amid the major impacts of AI on the American workforce.
At the Governor’s direction, the Commission has conducted listening sessions and other engagement with impacted workers, Union leaders, stakeholders and experts in recent weeks.
The Commission will now use its findings to deliver specific recommendations by the end of December, which the Governor and her administration will use to shape new policies addressing the workforce impacts of AI.
The FutureWorks Commission is part of the Governor’s comprehensive approach to addressing the full scope of AI impacts on New Yorkers — including the nation-leading RAISE Act to strengthen AI safety regulations and a first-in-the-nation moratorium on hyperscale data center construction across the state.
“AI is already having significant impacts throughout society – and New York will continue leading the nation with policies that protect our workers, communities and safety, while also helping everyday people harness the benefits of innovation,” Governor Hochul said.
“As the Trump Administration and Washington Republicans fail to step up on this critical issue, my administration will keep taking the action needed to ensure that when it comes to AI, we’re putting New Yorkers first.”
Governor Hochul and the FutureWorks commission discussed policy proposals developed through conversations with Commission members and interviews with external experts, New York unions, workers, and other stakeholders representing jobs and industries impacted by AI. These policy ideas center around data and forecasting, job training and placement, improving job quality, strengthening the social safety net, economic growth and supporting small businesses in New York.
Last month, Governor Hochul held a listening session that included several women in jobs that have the potential to be or are already being reshaped by AI. Some experts predict that AI could impact or shift tasks in administrative, clerical, customer service and similar roles that have historically been a pathway to the middle class.
