A new initiative is offering financial and professional support to workers displaced by artificial intelligence. The AI Dividend program, co-led by non-profits AI Commons Project and What We Will, provides eligible individuals with $1,000 per month for six to 12 months, alongside tailored resources for skill development.
The program is designed to address the immediate financial impact of AI-driven job losses. Participants also receive access to reskilling and upskilling programs, AI training certifications, job coaching, and interview support. To apply, individuals must complete an online form detailing how AI has affected their work and submit a statement on how they plan to utilize the financial assistance.
Nick Salazar, founder of the AI Commons Project, emphasized the program's urgency. "The safety net needs to move at the speed of AI, and it’s already falling far behind," Salazar stated. "People are losing work today. We don’t have years to study the problem first. This pilot puts cash in displaced workers’ hands and builds the evidence base for what comes next."
The AI Dividend program is currently in its initial phase, providing payments and support to its first cohort of participants. The goal is to expand the program to a larger pool of workers, gathering data to inform future AI policy as the labor market evolves.
Predictions suggest a significant impact of AI on the workforce. A study from National University indicates that 30% of current U.S. jobs could be automated by 2030. Furthermore, the study found that 60% of workers are likely to experience substantial "task-level changes" due to AI integration, underscoring the need for adaptation through upskilling and technological proficiency.
Roles most susceptible to automation include clerical and customer service positions. For instance, administrative roles like secretaries and data entry clerks, as well as bank tellers and cashiers, are projected to decline significantly. National University projects a 15% decrease in bank teller jobs and an 11% reduction in cashier roles between 2023 and 2033. The report suggests that approximately 59% of workers will require some form of upskilling or reskilling by 2030.