Senators call on agencies to capture AI’s workforce impact

Nine senators are asking the Department of Labor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau to update their data collection and reporting to provide insight into the impacts of artificial intelligence on the workforce. 

Citing a need for more reliable data to understand the AI-driven changes to the labor market, Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind.; Mark Warner, D-Va.; Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Jim Banks, R-Ind.; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; John Hickenlooper, D-Colo.; Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.; Tim Kaine, D-Va.; and Mike Rounds, R-S.D. wrote to the agencies’ leadership to expand current data collection efforts focusing on AI’s economic disruptions. 

“Over the last several years, the enhanced capabilities of artificial intelligence have resulted in its increased application and adoption across many and varied industries and occupations,” the senators wrote in a letter sent to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Bill Wiatrowski and Census Bureau Chief George Cook. “However, reporting from across the private sector, academia, and media depict an uncertain picture of artificial intelligence’s current and potential impact on the workforce, with some use cases demonstrating a high probability of job disruption and others making the case for employment growth.”

Lawmakers offered multiple suggestions for current national surveys helmed by these agencies to incorporate questions on AI in the workforce. These include the Current Population Survey, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and the National Longitudinal Survey.

Each of these surveys captures different segments of the U.S. workforce population, with the National Longitudinal Survey focusing on American youth. The senators write that each survey has room to include questions about AI in the job market, workforce and work culture. 

“At a time when the U.S. workforce is approaching an inflection point due to the acceleration of artificial intelligence, adaptable and responsive federal statistical agencies are necessary in guiding labor market participants, researchers, and policymakers on how to properly respond to this moment,” the letter concludes.

The advent of advanced, generative AI software has sparked fear over job security across industries. An October 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly 1 in 5 workers are using AI in their jobs, and a February 2025 Pew survey also found roughly 52% of workers are worried about the impact AI has in the workplace, with most surveyed adults anticipating fewer work opportunities due to AI proliferation in the workforce.

Lawmakers have heard these fears and have been introducing new legislative measures to mitigate negative economic impacts on the workforce due to AI, such as through more workforce training and advanced analyses of AI’s potential. 

]]>