Ensure that your organization is staying up to date on AI-related regulations, especially at the state level.
Track developments from key agencies such as the EEOC, FTC, and NIST, which may release guidelines on ethical AI use, data privacy, and nondiscrimination.
The president’s action plan for responsible AI development and workforce competency will reshape key industries — including technology, health care, and finance — while influencing how organizations plan for the future of work.
The Trump administration’s AI initiatives aim to create jobs, accelerate innovation, and expand nationwide AI infrastructure. They encourage local governments, businesses, and schools to launch large-scale upskilling programs, update curricula, and support displaced workers. Employers will need to invest in training, partnerships, and AI-integrated operations to stay competitive.
While some job displacement is expected, demand for AI literacy and technical skills will grow. SHRM stresses consistent regulations and sustained workforce investment to ensure a smooth, worker-first transition.
The Executive Actions
The president has announced new investments to strengthen American competitiveness. In addition to several executive actions, these initiatives are detailed in the White House’s “Running List of New U.S. Investment in President Trump’s Second Term.”
President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (Jan. 23, 2025)
This executive order establishes the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) to bring together leading experts from academia, industry, and government. PCAST will advise the president on science, technology, education, and innovation policy, helping chart a path to strengthen American leadership in these fields during this critical moment.
Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence (Jan. 23, 2025)
This executive order revokes prior AI directives and directs White House offices to develop an action plan promoting innovation and competitiveness. Agencies, as appropriate and consistent with the law, are required to suspend, revise, or rescind previous AI-related actions or propose changes. If immediate finalization is not possible, the assistant to the president for science and technology and agency heads must promptly provide all authorized exemptions under existing orders, rules, regulations, or policies until the changes can be implemented.
Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth (April 23, 2025)
This executive order establishes U.S. policy to promote AI literacy and proficiency by integrating AI into education, providing comprehensive training for educators, and exposing students early to AI concepts. By fostering AI competency, the order aims to develop an AI-ready workforce and nurture the next generation of American innovators. Investing in U.S. educators and students ensures they remain globally competitive by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital and technological landscape.
Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan (July 2025)
America’s AI Action Plan rests on three pillars: innovation, infrastructure, and international diplomacy and security. It aims to leverage data to connect workers with AI skills, support workforce transitions, and protect jobs through strategic policies and investments. The plan outlines near-term federal policy goals, including building AI infrastructure and energy capacity. Led by agencies like the departments of the Labor and Commerce, it also identifies critical roles and highpriority AI occupations to advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.
In response, SHRM Head of Government Affairs, Chief of Staff, and Corporate Secretary Emily M. Dickens, J.D., said, “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.”
Workplace Impact
These initiatives present opportunities for local governments, businesses, and educational institutions to implement large-scale upskilling and reskilling programs, particularly for workers displaced by automation and AI-driven transformations. Schools will be encouraged to update curricula and provide targeted professional development for educators, while employers will need to invest in training programs, strategic partnerships, and AI-integrated operations to remain competitive. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in workplaces, job displacement is likely in some sectors, but the demand for new roles requiring AI literacy and advanced technical skills will grow.
Overall, these actions represent both an opportunity and a challenge for employers. They offer a pathway to drive innovation and economic growth, but they also require careful planning to support a worker-first transition. SHRM emphasizes the need for uniform federal regulations and sustained investment in workforce training and development to ensure organizations and their people thrive in this evolving landscape.
Action Items for Employers
- Conduct a company-wide assessment to identify areas where AI and automation can improve efficiency while complementing human roles.
Prioritize the integration of AI tools that augment employee performance rather than replacing human jobs.
Involve key stakeholders, including HR, operations, and technology leaders, to create a roadmap for AI implementation that aligns with business goals and workforce development needs.
Evaluate current benefit offerings to address critical needs for upskilling and reskilling workers for the anticipated AI-driven changes. SHRM’s “2024 AI in the Workplace” research found that 83% of HR leaders identify upskilling as critical in today’s AI-driven economy, and 76% of U.S. workers emphasize the necessity of acquiring new skills.
Emphasize the demand for uniquely human skills like creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking when considering how AI and automation will fit into the workplace.
Communicate openly with employees about the organization’s AI integration strategy, emphasizing the benefits and opportunities it creates.
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