Governor Wes Moore Addresses AI Workforce Risks in Maryland
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, concerns about AI workforce risks have become increasingly urgent for Maryland residents. Governor Wes Moore, during his recent “Delivering for Maryland” tour, acknowledged the anxiety many workers feel about the accelerating impact of AI on jobs across the state. While Maryland is positioning itself as a leader in artificial intelligence innovation, questions about job security and the state’s response remain at the forefront.
AI’s Dual Promise and Peril for Maryland Workers
Governor Moore openly stated that there is a “reason for people to be concerned” regarding AI workforce risks. He emphasized the lack of “real proper communication” about the technology’s potential effects on the job market. The governor highlighted the opportunities AI brings for transforming public safety, education, and healthcare, but also recognized the threat automation poses to various sectors of Maryland’s workforce.
Despite these acknowledgments, Moore has not yet detailed a specific framework to protect workers whose jobs might be displaced by AI. When pressed on concrete plans, Moore pointed to the need for community involvement and “guardrails” in AI policy, rather than outlining measurable goals for limiting job losses or specifying at what point the state would intervene.
Maryland’s AI Strategy and Initiatives
Maryland’s current AI strategy, as described in Moore’s 2026 State of the State address, is built on three priorities: supporting workers, enhancing public services with AI, and ensuring the state benefits economically from AI-driven growth. The administration committed $4 million towards workforce programs associated with AI and other emerging technologies. This investment follows a 2024 executive order that established an AI Subcabinet and a statewide Responsible AI Policy for state agencies.
Additionally, Maryland’s 2025 AI roadmap called for analyzing which industries and occupations are most likely to be affected by AI within a three-to-five-year window. The roadmap also set a December 2025 target for broader workforce recommendations, with outreach to labor leaders and proposals to help workers adapt to technological shifts.
Quantifying the Impact: How Many Jobs Are at Risk?
A public research project by the Maryland State Innovation Team estimated that 39.6% of the state’s workforce is employed in occupations facing high AI workforce risks. This analysis, based on 2023 federal occupation data and large-language model assessments, places Maryland at the top nationally for the share of jobs potentially impacted by AI automation. However, the study notes that this figure does not necessarily mean all those jobs will disappear—rather, it assesses the degree to which AI could perform key job tasks, not whether employers will eliminate those roles.
Investments in Upskilling and Workforce Programs
To address AI workforce risks, Maryland has launched several initiatives aimed at preparing its labor force for the future. In July, the state awarded $1.23 million through the Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program, targeting training for nearly 600 people in sectors such as life sciences, technology, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing. Maryland has also joined RAISE US, a nonprofit initiative focused on developing workforce systems for an AI-driven economy.
Governor Moore, as chair of the National Governors Association, is leading efforts to develop AI policy models for states and is collaborating with RAISE US on a national roadmap for AI and the future of work. This roadmap is expected to provide further guidance for governors by November.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Concerns
Despite these measures, key details about Maryland’s response to AI workforce risks remain unclear. Moore has not specified how many jobs his administration believes are at risk, which occupations would get priority for intervention, or how quickly retraining programs could scale. Questions about the level of taxpayer investment required to make Maryland an AI hub, and guarantees around job security for Marylanders, have yet to be addressed by the governor’s office.
Nationally, the conversation echoes Maryland’s challenges. President Donald Trump’s administration has also recognized that artificial intelligence will transform work, calling for expanded AI skills training and new approaches to retraining workers in its AI Action Plan. Leading AI experts, such as Geoffrey Hinton, have urged policymakers to take the risks of massive unemployment seriously as AI technologies advance.
The Path Forward for Maryland’s Workforce
As Maryland continues its push to become a leader in artificial intelligence, the challenge will be balancing innovation with protections for workers facing AI workforce risks. While significant investments have been made in training and policy development, many specifics remain unresolved. For now, Marylanders are watching closely, seeking greater clarity on how the state will safeguard jobs and ensure that economic growth from AI benefits all residents.
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