Legislative lowdown: DOL lays out its vision for ‘AI literacy’

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a guide intended for employers and educators who are engaged in AI training with workers and students.

The framework, which was published on Feb. 13, is meant to “help accelerate effective AI skill development across the country,” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. The DOL said it considered input from stakeholders including employers to develop the framework, and would continue to develop it as AI capabilities improve and the labor market evolves.

There are five areas of AI literacy the DOL considers to be “foundational,” including using the technology responsibly, exploring AI use cases, and assessing AI outputs for accuracy and relevance.

Additionally, the DOL suggested employers and educators consider seven principles when addressing AI literacy at their organizations. Among the principles that may be most relevant to HR leaders:

• “Embed learning in context.” The DOL suggests integrating AI “into existing processes” so that it makes sense for the industry in which it’s being deployed.
• “Build complementary human skills.” AI should strengthen human skills such as “judgment, creativity, communication, and problem-solving,” the DOL said.
• “Create pathways for continued learning.” Workers and students should have opportunities to develop more advanced AI skills, and move into AI-related jobs.
• “Prepare enabling roles.” Managers and counselors can support participants who are learning about the technology.

Another tool in the toolbox. The DOL’s framework may help HR teams address the gap that exists in many organizations between AI investment and employee buy-in. While 57% of leaders said they hoped to “fast-track AI implementation,” according to a report published last year by the accounting firm BDO, 42% said they didn’t have the skills or infrastructure to effectively navigate AI-related disruption.

The second Trump administration has said it wants to promote a “worker-first AI agenda” through initiatives such as funding skills development and retraining programs, as well as studying the technology’s impact on job displacement and wages.

At the same time, the White House is seeking to dismantle state-level efforts to pass legislation intended to protect workers from the effects of AI, such as Colorado’s not-yet-enacted algorithmic discrimination law. A Dec. 11 executive order called on the attorney general to take steps to preempt such state-level AI laws, but any major changes to federal AI regulations would likely require Congress to act.