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Gina Raimondo Warns AI Transition Could Trigger Mass Layoffs Without a Workforce Plan

September 29, 2026 at 14:41 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Recruiting & HR
Sales & Business

Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is warning that AI could produce a destabilizing wave of unemployment before it creates new kinds of work unless companies and governments build a transition plan now. Her warning has become the political frame for RAISE US, a new nonpartisan workforce nonprofit she launched with former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to test retraining, redeployment and job-transition policies in the states.

June 2026 | RAISE US

AI's jobs shock becomes a workforce-policy test

Gina Raimondo is warning that unmanaged AI adoption could bring mass layoffs before new jobs arrive. Her answer is a state-and-employer pilot network built around retraining, redeployment and transition support.

10M-30M

unemployment scenario Raimondo warned against

>$500M

already secured toward multiyear commitments

initial state partnerships

25%

U.S. work hours potentially automatable

BCG's job-impact range

Each block represents about 5 percentage points of U.S. jobs.

50%-55%could be reshaped

10%-15%could be eliminated

The proposed transition loop

Assess skills

Map workers to open roles.

Train quickly

Use credentials and coaching.

Redeploy

Incentivize firms to retain talent.

Measure outcomes

Track good jobs kept or gained.

Why supporters back it

It gives states, employers and educators a practical venue to test worker supports before disruption peaks.

Why critics are wary

Corporate-funded retraining has a mixed record, and no pilot has yet proved it can scale faster than layoffs.

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