The Senate Labor and Industry Committee has approved a bipartisan bill that aims to study the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy. The legislation, Senate Bill 293, is sponsored by Senators Vincent Hughes and Kristin Phillips-Hill.
If enacted, the bill would require the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to conduct a detailed study on how AI could affect different industries throughout Pennsylvania.
“We’re seeing real fear and uncertainty about what it means to bring artificial intelligence into our workplaces. If Pennsylvania leaders are going to be prepared for the ways this powerful technology will impact our lives and how we work, we need to fully understand what’s coming,” said Senator Vincent Hughes. “This impact report will give us insight into how artificial intelligence will both enhance and disrupt Pennsylvania’s economy. We will be better able to prepare and protect Pennsylvanians with this information.”
The proposed report would identify which sectors might experience job growth or loss due to AI, analyze which groups of workers could be most affected, and suggest strategies for helping people adapt to changes in the economy.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction, it’s here and already changing how we work,” Phillips-Hill said. “This legislation ensures Pennsylvania is not caught flat-footed. By understanding where and how these changes are happening, we can better prepare our workforce and strengthen our economy.”
The study would also look at what skills and training workers may need in an AI-driven economy. It aims to offer recommendations for supporting worker transitions so that Pennsylvania’s workforce can remain competitive.
