Silicon Valley lawmaker favors AI tech partnerships over regulations - San Jose Spotlight

Artificial intelligence is expected to disrupt workplaces across Silicon Valley, increasing anxiety about future jobs. Recent college graduates have reacted strongly to AI at commencement events, including booing when AI is mentioned. Congressman Sam Liccardo proposes encouraging major tech firms to take a central role in educating the workforce of the future by partnering with local colleges and community centers. The approach is modeled on Barack Obama’s idea of tax credits for companies that invest in training programs for workers in regions facing industrial change. Liccardo adds a hiring requirement: companies that employ people who complete the program would receive additional tax credits. He points to a prior Alaska Airlines partnership with California State University as a workable template.

"With artificial intelligence threatening to upend workplaces throughout Silicon Valley, the area's representative in Congress has an idea he hopes will reduce anxieties about the revolutionary technology: nudge tech companies to take a central role in educating the workforce of the future."

"Liccardo wants to do something similar with tech companies, with one key addition: a company that hires out of the program would get an additional tax credit. "You only know they really invested in the program if they're willing to pay employees that come out of that program," Liccardo said."

"The tense relationship between recent college graduates and AI has been on display at graduation commencement ceremonies throughout the nation, with clips of graduates booing speakers who mention AI quickly achieving viral status. Congressman Sam Liccardo - whose 16th District includes the headquarters of Meta, Google, xAI and other tech giants - thinks one solution to the nation's employment anxieties is to invite these firms to create education programs at local colleges and community centers."

"Liccardo has some experience with programs of this sort. As San Jose mayor, he was engaged in discussions with Alaska Airlines on expanding the number of flights to his city. When the airline asserted it didn't have enough airplane engine mechanics, it entered into a partnership with California State University in which Alaska Airlines contributed funding to expand the mechanic program. The same model can apply to tech, he suggested."

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