This bill, titled the Workforce of the Future Act of 2025, seeks to proactively address the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the United States workforce. It establishes a framework for understanding and responding to job disruption and creation brought about by AI and other advanced technologies. The legislation emphasizes the importance of preparing workers and mitigating potential negative consequences through strategic education and training initiatives.

A key provision requires the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to jointly prepare comprehensive reports on AI's impact. These reports, due within six months, one year, and three years, will identify industries and occupations most affected by AI, analyze job quality changes, and pinpoint demographics most vulnerable to displacement or poised for new opportunities. They will also assess the skills, expertise, and education needed for an AI-enabled economy, along with methods to ensure equitable access to these resources.

The bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants totaling $160 million for fiscal year 2026 to expand emerging and advanced technology education. Half of these funds will support general education expansion, focusing on providing all high school students with access to such education within five years and establishing a progression from pre-kindergarten through middle grades. The other half is dedicated to teacher development and recruitment, including professional development, loan repayment, and tuition reimbursement for educators in these critical fields.

Eligible entities for these education grants include State and local educational agencies, community colleges, technical colleges, and institutions of higher education. Grant recipients are required to train teachers, expand access to high-quality learning materials and broadband, and create plans to reduce equity gaps for underrepresented groups in STEAM fields. They must also engage with industry to ensure curricula remain relevant to evolving technological demands.

Concurrently, the Department of Labor is authorized to award $90 million in grants for fiscal year 2026 to support workforce training for individuals most impacted by AI. These grants prioritize labor organizations and consortia that include them, targeting workers employed in or recently separated from industries projected to experience significant AI-driven changes. The training aims to provide skill certifications and continuing education to enable workers to enter or advance in high-skill, high-wage jobs within in-demand sectors.

Both grant programs require applicants to submit detailed plans for project activities, continuous monitoring, and long-term sustainability. The Secretaries are mandated to consider the findings and recommendations from the AI impact reports when awarding grants, ensuring that programs address identified barriers for specific demographic groups. The bill also includes reporting requirements for grantees and a joint report to Congress within five years, recommending how to expand these vital programs to further strengthen the 21st-century workforce.