Former Gov. Holcomb Leads $500M Workforce AI Transition Initiative

Former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has emerged from his post-gubernatorial tenure to co-lead a national workforce initiative designed to prepare American workers for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

RAISE US, a newly launched nonprofit organization, announced Thursday it has secured more than $500 million in multi-year commitments—halfway to its billion-dollar fundraising target. Holcomb shares leadership with Gina Raimondo, who served as Rhode Island's governor before becoming Commerce Secretary under President Biden.

Bipartisan approach to workforce transformation

The organization plans to partner with state governments, employers, and academic institutions to develop and test policies that help workers maintain employment as AI reshapes job requirements. Initial state partnerships include Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, and Utah.

"This isn't red versus blue; it's an all-hands-on-deck moment," Holcomb said in the announcement. He emphasized that his experience as governor taught him workforce development succeeds at the state level when coordinated with employers.

Corporate and tech sector backing

RAISE US has assembled support from major technology companies directly involved in AI development, including Anthropic, Microsoft, and the OpenAI Foundation. Additional corporate partners include IBM, Cisco, and Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co.

Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks framed the initiative as addressing a fundamental challenge of the AI era. "That work will always depend on people who can apply new technologies, supported by systems and policies that keep pace," Ricks stated.

Why it matters

As generative AI tools rapidly enter workplaces across industries, the gap between existing worker skills and emerging job requirements threatens to displace millions of Americans. Unlike previous technological transitions, AI's pace of adoption gives workers and policymakers less time to adapt. A bipartisan, state-focused approach with substantial private funding represents a pragmatic model for addressing workforce disruption before it becomes a crisis—though success will depend on whether programs can scale quickly enough to match AI's deployment speed.

Holcomb's workforce legacy

This marks Holcomb's most prominent public initiative since completing eight years as Indiana's governor in early 2024. During his tenure, he prioritized workforce development as a central policy focus and signed legislation creating a task force to examine AI use within state agencies.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle first reported details of the RAISE US launch and Holcomb's co-chair role.