Bennet, Wyden, Colleagues Unveil Proposal to Ensure Wage Security Amid AI Advancements

New Draft Legislation Improves and Expands Unemployment Insurance and Provides Additional Wage Security for Workers Displaced by AI Disruption

Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, alongside Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), released new legislation to prepare for potential economic changes driven by increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), including worker displacement, the need for enhanced unemployment insurance support, and new approaches to retraining programs.

“AI has the potential to transform our economy, but too many hardworking Coloradans are worried about being left behind,” said Bennet. “This legislation is an important step to protect workers from the economic uncertainty and job displacement AI could bring, and ensure our unemployment safety net can address disruptions from the AI transition.”

“Americans feel the looming fear of AI job losses, and Congress has a responsibility to help the country prepare,” said Wyden. “The support meant to protect workers from financial devastation when they lose their jobs is brittle and out of date, and needs to be updated before the next economic crisis. These are not the only policy changes that are needed to protect American workers from economic disruption, but it’s a needed first step to give families the wage security they deserve in this time of high costs and economic uncertainty.”

The Stability and Opportunity for Workers Act establishes a stronger foundation of wage security for workers across America. It enhances the existing unemployment insurance system by creating new minimum standards for benefits and extending the duration of benefit availability during economic downturns. It expands the types of workers covered by regular unemployment insurance and creates a jobseeker’s allowance to ensure no one falls through the cracks, including gig workers. The proposal also creates a new Transition Wages program that will help workers who have been displaced by AI disruption pursue education and retraining for higher-paying jobs with additional financial security. 

In September, Bennet announced a new proposal with Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) building off of their landmark legislation to create a new independent federal agency to regulate frontier AI models and social media. In 2023, Bennet urged Leader Schumer to advance principles-based AI legislation, and has highlighted concerns around AI-generated content and harm to young users. 

This legislation has been endorsed by the National Employment Law Project, the Economic Security Project, and Employ America. 

The text of the bill is available HERE.

###

The post Bennet, Wyden, Colleagues Unveil Proposal to Ensure Wage Security Amid AI Advancements appeared first on U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.