Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, introduced legislation on Friday that would extend unemployment benefits to 52 weeks during periods of high joblessness, double the current maximum of 26 weeks. The Stability and Opportunity for Workers Act would trigger the extended benefits if the unemployment rate reaches 8.5%. The proposal also includes funding for education and retraining programs to help workers displaced by artificial intelligence disruptions move into higher-paying roles, according to Wyden's office.
The bill represents part of a broader legislative effort in Congress to address workforce concerns as AI capabilities advance. Multiple lawmakers have introduced proposals ranging from tax measures on AI companies to mandatory reporting requirements for job losses. These efforts reflect growing anxiety about potential large-scale worker displacement, with warnings coming from prominent figures in the technology industry. Last year, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told Axios that AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs and push unemployment to between 10% and 20% within one to five years. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates similarly warned in a recent essay that AI poses risks to millions of jobs.
Other proposals being considered include Senator Mark Kelly's Make AI Work for Americans Act, which would impose a 5% tax on digital advertising revenue, an AI usage tax and a 50% excess profits tax on the AI industry. The revenue would support a fund for retraining displaced workers. Democratic Representatives Greg Casar, Valerie Foushee and Sara Jacobs introduced the AI Tax and Work Protection Act in August, proposing taxes on AI companies based on token usage, with rates rising alongside the unemployment rate. The resulting funds would create jobs to offset AI-related layoffs, according to Representative Casar's office.
A bipartisan measure called the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act, introduced by Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, and Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, would require major companies and federal agencies to report AI-related layoffs to the Department of Labor, with data shared publicly. House versions of this bill were introduced in July by Democratic Representatives Steven Horsford and Sara Jacobs, along with James Moylan, the House delegate for Guam.
Despite concerns about AI's potential impact, economists have noted that major workforce displacements from artificial intelligence have not yet materialized, though some layoffs concentrated in the tech industry have occurred. American anxiety about the issue remains high, with nearly 80% of respondents to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research earlier this month saying it is extremely or very important to protect workers in the age of AI.
For workers and jobless Americans, these proposals could mean significantly longer access to unemployment benefits during economic downturns and additional support for career transitions if artificial intelligence causes widespread job displacement.