Minnesota workforce faces high AI exposure without legal protections

Minnesota's workforce faces one of the highest levels of AI exposure in the nation, yet state lawmakers adjourned their 2026 session without enacting protections for workers whose jobs are being reshaped or eliminated by artificial intelligence.

More than 800,000 Minnesotans—nearly one-third of the state's workforce—work in jobs with high AI exposure, according to research from the University of St. Thomas Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence. That makes Minnesota's workforce the most vulnerable in the Midwest and tenth-most vulnerable nationally.

Who faces the greatest risk

The exposure is not distributed evenly. Women and workers in industries with lower union membership face disproportionately high vulnerability, leaving those with the least job security facing the most disruption without collective bargaining power.

AI is already affecting Minnesota jobs beyond simple displacement. Automated systems now screen job applications, conduct interviews, and make hiring decisions. In existing positions, AI tracks keystrokes, analyzes call times, and in some cases determines wages. These systems touch every sector of the workforce.

Why it matters

Minnesota's legislative inaction comes as other states move forward with AI workplace regulations and as the federal government attempts to preempt state-level rules. President Trump signed an executive order in December 2025 aimed at preventing states from regulating AI, though legal experts question whether the order will withstand challenge. The combination of rapid AI advancement and potential federal preemption creates a narrow window for state action.

What workers want

Public sentiment strongly favors regulation. Eighty percent of Americans say government should prioritize AI safety rules. Seventy-one percent oppose AI making hiring decisions, and 61 percent reject using AI to track workers' movements. These concerns cross partisan lines.

Several Minnesota lawmakers introduced bills during the 2026 session to address workplace AI concerns, but none advanced to passage.

Proposed framework for 2027

Researchers propose three policy priorities for the next legislative session: requiring companies to give workers notice and support when AI eliminates jobs; limiting how automated systems can monitor and evaluate workers; and regulating AI's role in consequential decisions including hiring, firing, and wage-setting.

The goal is not to halt AI development but to ensure workers have input on implementation. When workers participate in how AI tools are deployed, the technology is more likely to complement rather than replace human work, benefiting both employers and employees.

The research and policy recommendations were detailed in an opinion piece by Dr. Manjeet Rege, director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of St. Thomas, and Aaron Rosenthal, research director at North Star Policy Action, first published by MinnPost.