The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a new initiative called TechAccess: AI-Ready America, aimed at enhancing AI workforce readiness across the United States. This program, developed in partnership with the Department of Labor, Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, will establish state-level coordination hubs and provide funding to improve access to AI education and resources for workers, small businesses, and local governments. The initiative targets key areas such as expanding AI literacy, equipping institutions with AI tools, and creating practical learning opportunities like internships, responding to the challenges highlighted in the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan regarding workforce development. With an emphasis on collaboration among various state organizations, the initiative seeks to overcome silos and foster an integrated approach to AI readiness in the economy.

Francie Genz: Francie Genz is a Fellow with New America’s Future of Work & Innovation Economy program. She has outlined the six functions of economic and workforce development intermediaries based on the work of leaders in tech-based economic development organizations. Her framework highlights coordination challenges among diverse stakeholders that the new NSF initiative seeks to address.
National Science Foundation: The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency responsible for supporting research and education in science and engineering fields. It is leading the TechAccess: AI-Ready America initiative out of its Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Directorate in collaboration with other NSF directorates and federal partners. The effort focuses on building state-level coordination for AI education, workforce development, and business competitiveness.
TechAccess: AI-Ready America: TechAccess: AI-Ready America is a federal initiative launched by the National Science Foundation to coordinate AI workforce readiness nationwide across states and territories. It funds a national convener, state coordination hubs, and AI-Ready Catalyst Awards while partnering with the Department of Labor, Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Small Business Administration. The program emphasizes linking existing efforts to improve AI literacy, support small businesses and local governments, and create hands-on learning opportunities.

Initiative Scope: The program targets three key areas: expanding AI literacy and applied skills, equipping small businesses and local governments with AI tools, and building hands-on learning pathways such as internships.
Coordination Approach: State hubs will develop strategic plans, align existing programs toward credentials and labor needs, and create resource navigation tools without developing new curriculum themselves.
Administration Alignment: The effort supports the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan by promoting expanded AI skills development through bottom-up state coordination.