Artificial intelligence is already changing the way Americans work — helping people do their jobs more efficiently, build new skills, start businesses, and more.

Americans have fair questions about how AI will impact the workforce. The good news is that while AI is very good at taking on tasks, jobs are more than tasks. They require judgement, unique lived experience, trust, creativity, accountability, and the ability to work through messy real-world problems. Responsible AI can help small businesses, manufacturers, hospitals, schools, and startups take on projects that used to be too expensive, slow, or complex. The key is making sure that workers and communities are prepared with the right skills to reap the full benefits of this technology.

Learn more about AI and jobs in this special edition of AI in Action.

AI is…

AI is changing work but not eliminating jobs: New research shows that U.S. firms that invest heavily in artificial intelligence increase overall and entry‑level hiring, challenging the view that AI adoption will cause widespread job losses. [USA Today/Ramp and Revelio June 2026]

Increasing demand for early-career talent: Recent research suggests AI may also increase demand for early-career talent rather than reduce it: “In one of the biggest surveys on employers’ graduate hiring plans this year, nearly three times as many executives at companies using or exploring AI said they were increasing junior-level hiring in 2026 than cutting back. Those using AI most extensively were the most bullish.” [WSJ/Strada Educational Foundation May 2026]

Improving worker productivity: Within organizations implementing AI, 65% of employees say AI has improved their productivity and efficiency, with 16% saying the effect has been extremely positive, and fewer than one in 10 saying AI has had a negative impact on their work. [Gallup April 2026]

Perception improves with frequent use and high adoption rates: 69% of those who use AI are excited about the technology, rising to 86% among those who use it frequently. [Google/Ipsos January 2026]

Boosting productivity for small-business owners: 78% of small business AI users say it’s boosting productivity, with top reported benefits being more revenue (43%), lower costs (27%), and shorter workdays (27%). [Intuit/QuickBooks January 2026]

AI is…

Reducing the burden on doctors and nurses: According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, AI is reducing administrative burdens, reducing burnout, and empowering clinicians to spend more time with patients. [JAMA October 2025]

Allowing lawyers and paralegals to focus on higher-value work: AI can speed up document review, allowing legal support staff to focus on judgment and verification. [ABA February 2025]

Improving operations and training for manufacturers: AI can help smaller manufacturers streamline quality control, maintenance, supply-chain planning, and training. [NIST May 2026]

Empowering small businesses to grow and compete: AI gives smaller firms growth capabilities that used to require large back-office teams. [U.S. Chamber of Commerce August 2025]

Providing teachers with more time for students: Special education teachers are using AI to draft Individualized Education Program goals, track student progress, and create personalized worksheets, freeing them up for hands-on work in the classroom. Research also shows teachers have saved up to 10 hours a week on tasks thanks to AI. [NPR May 2026/Google June 2026]

Find more information on AI learning tools and upskilling resources here. 

Meta launches $115M skilled trades academy with guaranteed jobs for graduates in four states
Fox Business

I’m the C.E.O. of Goldman Sachs. The AI job apocalypse is overblown.
The New York Times

Google launches $50 million skilled worker initiative
Axios

I skipped college and now earn over $40 an hour in a blue-collar job. The AI boom is creating more opportunities for me.
Business Insider

Podcast Spotlight

Exploring How AI Is Changing JobsIn a recent Platformer interview, Box CEO Aaron Levie discusses how AI could change the way people work. Levie explains that AI can automate individual tasks while allowing workers to focus on responsibilities that require expertise, context, judgment, and human interaction. He also shares examples of how AI can help people start new projects, complete research, and take on work that may not have previously been possible. Learn more.

About AI for America

AI for America is an initiative to educate the public about how AI is being used to improve lives, grow our economy, and keep us safe.  The initiative combines coalition building, advocacy, social media, and traditional media to demonstrate the immense economic and societal benefits of AI.  AI for America is funded by TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of tech CEOs and senior executives.  TechNet advances public policies at the federal and state level that make the United States the world leader in innovation.  Its diverse membership includes dynamic American businesses ranging from startups to the most iconic companies on the planet.  For more information, go to technet.org and AI4America.com.