Welcome to the first edition of the TechNet Wire, a short round-up of narratives we’re tracking, policies we’re shaping, and member company initiatives we’re excited about. In this issue:

  • The data on AI’s job-creating potential;
  • How TechNet is engaging in Congress’ online children’s safety debate; and
  • “Bits and bytes” — announcements and other news from TechNet members

We’ll be in your inbox with the Wire about every two weeks.

Thought Cloud

A common concern we hear is whether AI will lead to mass displacement of workers, and if so, what policy responses are best suited for the moment.

Although most companies are still in the early stages(opens in new tab) of meaningfully integrating AI into their core operations, the evidence in recent months has shown that AI is not replacing human labor as some feared it would — instead the technology is both creating jobs while enhancing workers’ productivity:

This early data is promising, but also shows that work will evolve as AI deployment continues across industries and the technology improves.

TechNet members offer a wide range(opens in new tab) of upskilling initiatives, and we are working to advance policies that position American workers to seize the opportunities that AI offers. Bills introduced in Congress that we have endorsed(opens in new tab) include:

  • Workforce Transparency Act, led by Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Ted Budd (R-NC) — facilitates reporting to the Department of Labor regarding how AI usage alters tasks, job performance, and broader labor dynamics to make  workforce development programs more effective.
  • AI Workforce Training Act, led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) — incentivizes companies to expand access to AI literacy, workforce training, and upskilling opportunities for employees.

AI will undoubtedly change many aspects of work. But if we embrace responsible innovation while investing in workforce development and lifelong learning, AI will be a historic engine of opportunity and prosperity.

Policy Download

In the final week before the Senate’s August recess, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a markup of youth online safety legislation, advancing four bills related to social media, chatbots, and AI in toys.

Where we stand: TechNet appreciates the committee’s efforts to keep the policy debate over kids’ online safety moving forward.

  • TechNet’s member companies share the goal of fostering healthy online environments for kids.
  • We also believe that legislation should not include overly broad restrictions that prevent kids and teens from accessing educational and beneficial information online.
  • Enacting measures that restrict access to constitutionally protected speech will set back efforts to keep children safe on the internet.
  • Too often, well-intentioned legislation does not include clear definitions and guidance, resulting in inconsistent enforcement and uncertainty for companies working to protect children and comply with the law.

We look forward to ongoing engagement with House and Senate leaders as the debate around these bills and the work to build a safer internet continues.

TechNet Member Bits and Bytes

Meta’s Workforce Academy — a $115 million nationwide initiative to provide cost-free, paid training for in-demand skilled trades jobs in high demand due to the wave of AI infrastructure development — held its first worker graduation(opens in new tab) in Indiana.

Anthropic launched “Claude for Teachers(opens in new tab),” which includes a library of teaching skills and connections to evidence-based curricula mapped to every state’s academic standards.

Amazon expanded its locker network and now reaches over 500 college campuses nationwide(opens in new tab), so more students can conveniently pick up orders close to where they live and study.

Thanks for reading,

The TechNet Communications Team

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