Raimondo, Holcomb Launch $500 Million RAISE US to Train Workers for AI as 4 Governors Join
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 28
Raimondo, Holcomb Launch $500 Million RAISE US to Train Workers for AI as 4 Governors Join
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 28
Summary
$500 million in backing has launched RAISE US, a nonprofit led by Gina Raimondo and Eric Holcomb to help U.S. workers adapt to AI through state-level programs.
Four governors — in Maryland, Arkansas, Utah and Connecticut — have already signed on for specific projects, with the group aiming to show daily, measurable results before the end of 2026.
Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic are among the initial corporate backers, which Raimondo called a "coalition of the willing" rather than a complete roster of major tech companies.
Raimondo said the effort is meant to blunt political backlash against AI, arguing the U.S. cannot "beat China" in technology if automation weakens jobs, prosperity and democracy.
Both leaders said they are stepping back from frontline politics — Raimondo also ruled out a 2028 presidential run — while hoping successful state pilots eventually shape federal AI legislation.
Can state-level experiments truly create a blueprint for fair federal AI legislation that protects all workers?
With big tech funding this AI transition, how will worker prosperity be prioritized over corporate profit?
RAISE US: Building an Equitable AI Workforce for America—Urgency, Policy Gaps, and the Path to Scalable Impact
Overview
RAISE US, launched by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, is a national initiative uniting employers and governors to help American workers adapt to the rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence. The program is shaped by lessons from past economic shifts, where many lost manufacturing jobs and communities were left behind without support. Determined not to repeat these mistakes, RAISE US focuses on equipping workers with new skills, building strong partnerships, and creating effective retraining programs. Its goal is to ensure that all Americans can thrive in the evolving AI-driven economy.