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An initial $250 million is being pledged by the OpenAI Foundation across grants, partnerships, and hands-on programs, with the goal of cushioning workers and economies against the upheaval that AI technology is bringing, according to an announcement from the organization.
Three priorities will guide the spending: studying how AI is transforming labor markets, assisting workers and communities confronting imminent job losses, and identifying new mechanisms for spreading AI-generated wealth more equitably, the foundation said. Specific programs are expected to be unveiled before the end of the year, the foundation said.
The foundation plans to help create better systems for measuring labor markets around the world. These systems would track jobs, wages, and company behavior, similar to what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does. The foundation also wants to fund studies in low- and middle-income countries, where AI could help people access more resources and public services.
For worker support, the foundation is interested in funding better access to unemployment insurance, wage loss insurance, and new job opportunities in growing industries. It pointed out that traditional retraining programs have had mixed results, so a wider approach may be needed. The foundation also wants workers to have more say in how AI is used at their jobs.
