Workers could be shielded from AI-related job loss

Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving — by some estimates doubling in capacity every seven months — and its transformative impact on workplaces is already being felt.

Presenters told the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee on Tuesday that Americans across the political spectrum are increasingly uneasy about how AI will reshape their jobs.

More than 31% of Minnesota jobs (813,000 workers) have “high exposure” to generative AI – meaning more than half of their work tasks could be automated, according to a recent report by North Star Policy Action and the University of St. Thomas.

Amid that uncertainty, committee members began considering what guardrails may be needed. No action was taken.

Rep. David Gottfried

Rep. David Gottfried (DFL-Shoreview) sponsors three AI-related bills, mostly focused on requiring workers to receive notice when employers use automated systems. He believes Minnesota should learn from the early days of social media, when policymakers hesitated to intervene as misinformation, shortened attention spans, and increasing division took hold.

“How do we ensure AI is deployed as a tool for good,” Gottfried said.

Among the proposals is HF4369, named the Safeguarding Human Intelligence and Employment in Labor Displacement Act, that aims to protect workers from AI-driven job loss.

Employers would have to provide 90-day notice before deploying technology that could displace jobs. During this transitional work period, employees would continue to receive regular pay and would be offered a chance to reskill or upskill, said Gottfried, making possible a just transition to new or continued employment.

Notice would also be provided to any labor representatives, the Department of Labor and Industry, local officials, and the relevant regional workforce board. Failing to comply could disqualify a company from state contracts and result in fines up to $10,000 per employee.

Gottfried said his goal is not to regulate the technology itself but to put guardrails on its use. Rep. Isaac Schultz (R-Elmdale Township) agreed to work with him, saying any such legislation should follow a “measure twice, cut once” process.

Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL-Mpls) emphasized the need to act sooner rather than later because tech companies won’t wait. “If we don’t do anything, decisions will still be made but without any public input.”