The head of the state Department of Workforce Development says the rise of AI technology “couldn’t come at a greater time” given the state’s labor challenges.
Speaking this week during the first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence in Madison, DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek noted the state’s aging population coupled with low levels of in-migration are putting serious pressure on the workforce.
“So what better time to capitalize, embrace and harness this technology, so that we can keep moving forward on this economic boom that we have been under since the pandemic,” she said Monday.
Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order in August creating the task force, which will be creating an advisory action plan covering how AI will affect key Wisconsin industries, policy suggestions and more. In a video message, he thanked meeting attendees for being part of the effort.
“AI has the potential to completely change the nature of our workforce, be a driver for economic development in our state and change the game when it comes to our state’s key industries, like manufacturing, health care and agriculture,” he said.
Pechacek discussed how her state agency is already using AI tools from Google to process unemployment claims and streamline other processes. And Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes shared examples of how businesses and educators are leveraging AI as well.
Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee is pioneering machine learning applications in the advanced manufacturing industry, Hughes noted, while Accuray in Madison is using the technology to predict patient breathing patterns to avoid unnecessary tissue damage during radiation therapy, she said.
At the same time, Chippewa Valley Technical College is using AI to develop curriculum aimed at addressing the state’s nursing shortage, and the Medical College of Wisconsin is using it to predict the likelihood of cancer recurrence following surgery.
“It’s not only incumbent on us to think about the future opportunities, but to think about those foundational businesses that we have here in Wisconsin, and how to support them,” Hughes said.
Meanwhile, DWD Chief Economist Dennis Winters contrasted the shift toward automation in the physical space with adoption of AI to handle more “cerebral” tasks. While automation is projected to impact industries such as farming and transportation, AI is expected to have an influence on engineering, computing, finance and other areas.
“So big change, huge change,” he said.
Also during the task force meeting, Microsoft U.S. Government Affairs Industry Director Tyler Clark touted the company’s investments in Wisconsin, including its new data center project in Mount Pleasant.
“It’s why we’re here today. The power of compute is growing so much that investments are needed to support digital transformation,” he said, adding “there’s enormous opportunities for AI-powered tools to empower workers.”
He argued AI “potentially offers more for the good of humanity than any invention that preceded it,” given its capacity to improve how earlier innovations are used. But he also touched on concerns the technology could “undermine information integrity” while worsening bias and inequality.
“Microsoft strongly advocates for human oversight in AI,” he said. “We believe the discerning human eye of users is a critical component in ensuring AI is used to the best of its ability and serves society at large.”
Following this week’s initial meeting, task force subcommittees will be gathering virtually. The next in-person meeting for the full group is scheduled for Dec. 4 in Milwaukee, according to DWD Assistant Deputy Secretary Jenny Sereno.
“The work will progress to get to that point where we can actually deliver some solid recommendations and carefully consider investments and policy ideas,” she said.
Watch a video of the meeting here: https://wiseye.org/2023/10/30/governors-task-force-on-workforce-and-artificial-intelligence/
See the executive order: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2023/08/23/file_attachments/2591849/Evers_EO211.pdf
See more on the task force: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ai-taskforce/
–By Alex Moe
