Many Americans are only beginning to realize that the artificial intelligence revolution could rival the industrial revolution in its scope and impact on workers. Just as machinery transformed farming and manufacturing, AI is already changing white-collar jobs, from customer service to legal analysis.

While AI will undoubtedly create new opportunities, it will also eliminate many jobs and disrupt careers, particularly among office workers, paralegals, and some teachers. Goldman Sachs predicts AI could replace or diminish 300 million jobs globally.

Despite these seismic changes, the US has done surprisingly little to prepare. There are no major government programs to help workers adapt, no large-scale retraining schemes, and little public dialogue on how to protect displaced workers.

This lack of preparation is troubling. Countries like Sweden and Singapore have implemented national strategies, with generous support for retraining and lifelong learning. Meanwhile, many US employers resist investing in worker training, expecting public institutions to bear that burden.

Policymakers need to act urgently. They should create incentives for companies to upskill their workforce, establish federally funded reskilling programs, and integrate AI-related skills into public education. Failing to do so risks widespread disillusionment, unemployment, and the erosion of the middle class.

The labor movement should also play a role, pressing for contracts that include AI safeguards and retraining rights. At the very least, there should be public discussion about what kind of economy and labor force the US wants to build in the age of automation.