RAISE US nonprofit launches with $500 million AI workforce initiative

A nonprofit called RAISE US has launched to retrain American workers for the AI economy. OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon and Microsoft are among its backers. Former US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo and former Indiana governor Eric Holcomb founded the nonpartisan group, which has raised more than $500 million. The organization targets $1 billion in multi-year commitments. More than two dozen large companies and philanthropies support the effort. Raimondo will serve as chief executive. RAISE US will work with governors in Utah, Arkansas, Maryland and Connecticut. Pilot programs include an AI-powered career navigation platform in Arkansas and expanded service year opportunities in Maryland. A team of about 15 staff and consultants will oversee the work. The group plans to test wage insurance for workers who take lower-paying jobs. It will also explore short-time compensation to keep people employed during transitions. Employers will receive technical help to retrain staff instead of replacing them. A policy lab funded by philanthropies will develop recommendations at arm's length from corporate sponsors. The board includes AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler. Leaders have said the effort does not center on universal basic income. Raimondo described the initiative as preparation for potential job market disruption. Backers noted uncertainty over whether AI will create jobs as quickly as it displaces them. The group draws from earlier examples of business-led responses to economic shifts.