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Bipartisan Initiative RAISE US Secures $500 Million to Retrain Workers Affected by AI
On Thursday, June 25 2026, the U.S. labor market received a bold new lifeline: RAISE US, a bipartisan nonprofit, unveiled a $500 million plan to retrain workers displaced by artificial intelligence. The organization was co‑founded by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, and it will launch pilot programs in Arkansas, Maryland, Utah and Connecticut.
RAISE US positions itself as a cross‑party effort that will work with state governments and large employers to design and roll out workforce transition programs. Its stated objective is to deliver “new forms of education and training” that can be scaled nationwide, with the hope that successful models will inform federal policy.
The initiative arrives amid growing concern that AI will reshape a substantial portion of the U.S. labor market. A recent Boston Consulting Group analysis estimates that more than half of U.S. jobs could be altered by AI over the next few years. The founders cited this data to underscore the urgency of large‑scale retraining.
Corporate backing has already materialized. OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon and Microsoft are among the firms that have pledged financial support, and the nonprofit’s website notes that the $500 million comes from a mix of corporate contributions and public grants.
RAISE US has outlined a framework for state‑level pilots. In Arkansas, the program will target manufacturing and logistics roles that are increasingly automated. Maryland will focus on service‑sector workers in hospitality and retail, Utah will emphasize tech‑related occupations, and Connecticut will concentrate on healthcare support staff.
The nonprofit plans to partner closely with state workforce agencies to develop curricula that blend technical skills—such as data analysis and machine‑learning fundamentals—with soft skills like adaptability and problem‑solving. Industry partners will also provide apprenticeships and on‑the‑job training.
The launch follows a broader national conversation about AI’s impact on employment. Several lawmakers have called for increased federal investment in reskilling programs, and the Biden administration has signaled interest in supporting workforce initiatives that address automation.
Critics argue that private‑sector funding may prioritize corporate interests over worker needs. Supporters counter that the involvement of AI leaders can help ensure training aligns with emerging industry demands.
The founders have expressed confidence that the pilot programs will generate data to guide future policy. Raimondo, who served as Secretary of Commerce from 2021 to 2025, emphasized the need for a coordinated national strategy, while Holcomb highlighted the importance of state‑level experimentation.
First projects are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026. RAISE US will report progress quarterly, with an eye toward expanding to additional states and potentially scaling to a national program.
The initiative is part of a growing trend of public‑private partnerships aimed at mitigating workforce disruptions caused by rapid AI adoption. By combining corporate expertise with state resources, RAISE US seeks to create a model that balances economic competitiveness with social responsibility.
As the U.S. economy continues to integrate AI technologies, the success of programs like RAISE US will be closely watched by policymakers, industry leaders and workers alike. The nonprofit’s ability to demonstrate measurable outcomes—such as job placement rates and skill acquisition—will likely influence future federal investment in AI‑related workforce development.
In the coming months, stakeholders will monitor how pilot states implement training curricula, the types of partnerships formed with employers, and the impact on employment outcomes. The nonprofit’s next public update is expected in early 2027, at which point it will assess whether the $500 million investment has produced a scalable framework for AI‑induced workforce transition.
The launch of RAISE US marks a significant step toward addressing the labor market challenges posed by AI. Its success could set a precedent for how the United States prepares its workforce for an increasingly automated future.
RAISE US positions itself as a cross‑party effort that will work with state governments and large employers to design and roll out workforce transition programs. Its stated objective is to deliver “new forms of education and training” that can be scaled nationwide, with the hope that successful models will inform federal policy.
The initiative arrives amid growing concern that AI will reshape a substantial portion of the U.S. labor market. A recent Boston Consulting Group analysis estimates that more than half of U.S. jobs could be altered by AI over the next few years. The founders cited this data to underscore the urgency of large‑scale retraining.
Corporate backing has already materialized. OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon and Microsoft are among the firms that have pledged financial support, and the nonprofit’s website notes that the $500 million comes from a mix of corporate contributions and public grants.
RAISE US has outlined a framework for state‑level pilots. In Arkansas, the program will target manufacturing and logistics roles that are increasingly automated. Maryland will focus on service‑sector workers in hospitality and retail, Utah will emphasize tech‑related occupations, and Connecticut will concentrate on healthcare support staff.
The nonprofit plans to partner closely with state workforce agencies to develop curricula that blend technical skills—such as data analysis and machine‑learning fundamentals—with soft skills like adaptability and problem‑solving. Industry partners will also provide apprenticeships and on‑the‑job training.
The launch follows a broader national conversation about AI’s impact on employment. Several lawmakers have called for increased federal investment in reskilling programs, and the Biden administration has signaled interest in supporting workforce initiatives that address automation.
Critics argue that private‑sector funding may prioritize corporate interests over worker needs. Supporters counter that the involvement of AI leaders can help ensure training aligns with emerging industry demands.
The founders have expressed confidence that the pilot programs will generate data to guide future policy. Raimondo, who served as Secretary of Commerce from 2021 to 2025, emphasized the need for a coordinated national strategy, while Holcomb highlighted the importance of state‑level experimentation.
First projects are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026. RAISE US will report progress quarterly, with an eye toward expanding to additional states and potentially scaling to a national program.
The initiative is part of a growing trend of public‑private partnerships aimed at mitigating workforce disruptions caused by rapid AI adoption. By combining corporate expertise with state resources, RAISE US seeks to create a model that balances economic competitiveness with social responsibility.
As the U.S. economy continues to integrate AI technologies, the success of programs like RAISE US will be closely watched by policymakers, industry leaders and workers alike. The nonprofit’s ability to demonstrate measurable outcomes—such as job placement rates and skill acquisition—will likely influence future federal investment in AI‑related workforce development.
In the coming months, stakeholders will monitor how pilot states implement training curricula, the types of partnerships formed with employers, and the impact on employment outcomes. The nonprofit’s next public update is expected in early 2027, at which point it will assess whether the $500 million investment has produced a scalable framework for AI‑induced workforce transition.
The launch of RAISE US marks a significant step toward addressing the labor market challenges posed by AI. Its success could set a precedent for how the United States prepares its workforce for an increasingly automated future.
