SHRM Responds to the President’s AI Action Plan, Which Prioritizes People in the AI-Driven Workforce
SHRM submitted the following statement in response to President Trump's AI Action Plan.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In response to the President’s AI Action Plan, SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, commented: The President’s plan is not just about technology—but about people. The emphasis is on a worker-first approach that addresses American competitiveness in an AI-driven workforce. The plan reflects a fundamental truth that SHRM has long championed: technology alone does not move the workplace forward—people do.
SHRM President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. has long emphasized the future of work demands both innovation and purpose. The combination of human intelligence and artificial intelligence is key to building a resilient, high-value workforce. SHRM research shows 74% of U.S. workers view AI as a complement to human talent, with strong support for transparency and shared responsibility in its use.
The President’s AI Action Plan addresses aligning federal efforts with the realities employers face every day. By elevating public-private collaboration and ensuring that employer voices are integrated into workforce readiness strategies, the administration is taking a necessary step toward closing the gap between policy and practice.
Concerns about job displacement are valid and must be addressed—but solutions are best forged when those closest to labor market shifts – employers and HR – are part of the conversation. Connecting federal investments with real-time market demands is key to preparing both current and future workers.
Equally critical is strengthening the education-to-employment pipeline. Students must have access to learning that aligns with in-demand, AI-enabled skills. By anchoring efforts in data and through mechanisms like the AI Workforce Research Hub, the administration is signaling a commitment to evidence-based policymaking — a position SHRM has consistently championed.
The future of work depends on getting three things right: People, Preparation, and Policy. SHRM is leading workforce transformation by keeping people at the center of innovation, raising awareness of agile training programs, and driving real-time, cross-sector policy solutions for a future-ready workforce.
About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.
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