U.S. House Committee to Host Hearing on AI's Economic Impact on Workforce
The sixth in a series, this hearing will examine AI's effects on jobs, wages, and workplace policy.
The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce is escalating its focus on artificial intelligence with a new hearing. The Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, led by Chairman Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), will convene on April 15, 2026, for the sixth installment in its AI series. Titled 'Building an AI-Ready America: Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers,' the session aims to dissect how rapid AI adoption is reshaping job markets, skill requirements, and employer responsibilities.
The hearing will feature a panel of four expert witnesses representing key stakeholder groups. Testimony is expected from Chatrane Birbal of the CHRO Association (corporate HR perspective), Matthew Gizzo from law firm Ogletree Deakins (employment law), Sara Steffens of worker advocacy group We Build Progress (labor perspective), and policy researcher Rachel Greszler from Advancing American Freedom. This mix suggests the committee is seeking a balanced view on AI's potential for both job displacement and creation, its impact on wages, and the necessary policy frameworks for worker retraining and protection.
The outcome of this hearing will contribute to a growing congressional dialogue aimed at crafting a national strategy for an 'AI-Ready' workforce. As AI tools like GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 become integral to industries from software to manufacturing, lawmakers are under pressure to develop policies that foster innovation while mitigating economic disruption. This hearing represents a critical step in gathering evidence to shape future legislation on issues like skills-based hiring, unemployment insurance modernization, and support for workers in transition.
- Hearing is the sixth in a congressional series examining AI's societal and economic effects.
- Witness list includes experts from HR (CHRO Association), labor law (Ogletree Deakins), worker advocacy (We Build Progress), and policy research.
- Aims to inform policy on workforce adaptation, retraining, and protections as AI adoption accelerates.
Why It Matters
The findings could directly influence future U.S. legislation on worker retraining, unemployment benefits, and AI governance in the workplace.