Testifying at a joint legislative committee hearing about the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy and workforce, NJBIA said that New Jersey should embrace AI opportunities, invest in workforce reskilling, and avoid restrictive policies that hinder innovation.
NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs Althea D. Ford and Research Analyst Jack Ramirez told lawmakers on the Senate Higher Education and Senate Labor committees Monday that the state should leverage AI’s potential and prepare the workforce for a rapidly evolving economy.
“Entry-level positions are changing. Job descriptions are evolving. Workers will need new skills. But the answer is not to slow innovation through overly restrictive policies that put New Jersey at a competitive disadvantage,” they said in their written testimony. “The answer is to prepare people for the jobs that are being created.”
That preparation starts with stronger public-private partnerships, Ford and Ramirez said.
Preparing the Workforce
“Businesses, universities, community colleges, and policymakers should work together to ensure students are learning the skills that employers actually need,” they testified. “We should be teaching not only digital literacy and technical skills, but also the unique human capabilities that complement AI: leadership, communication, critical thinking, decision-making, and coordination,” they said.
New Jersey’s post-secondary institutions have already begun responding to the demands for an AI-trained workforce, Ford and Ramirez said.
“NJIT offers an AI Literacy Microcredential, which is available to all students regardless of major, and focuses on practical AI use, ethics, and responsible deployment. Other institutions such as Princeton University, Rowan University, and Rutgers University are expanding AI-related coursework, certificate programs, and research opportunities,” they said.
The state’s county colleges are also engaging in this critical work, with the County College of Morris being the recipient of the state’s first U.S. Department of Labor – Registered Data Scientist AI Apprenticeship grant. More broadly, there are efforts such as the Lumina Foundation’s FutureReady States program, coordinated by NJ Council of County Colleges in this state, that provides New Jersey with a framework for identifying, measuring, and scaling workforce credentials that align with emerging labor market demands.
“As employers increasingly seek AI, data analytics, and digital technology skills, the initiative can help ensure that state investments in AI-related training programs deliver measurable value to both workers and businesses,” Ford and Ramirez said.
Economic Growth Opportunities
Research shows AI is acting more as a job creator than a job killer, Ford and Ramirez said. Morgan Stanley Research found U.S. companies reported a 2% net gain in jobs in the last 12 months due to AI adoption as new jobs outpace those that are eliminated or left unfilled.
Additionally, research synthesized by the Brookings Institution found that companies investing in AI experienced a 20% higher sales growth over a decade compared to non-investors, and that growth was accompanied by a proportional increase in employee headcount.
“In other words, many firms are using AI to create new products, enter new markets, and expand operations — not simply to replace workers,” they said.
Noting that nearly 90% of all AI-related job postings originate from just 1% of firms, Ford and Ramirez urged policymakers to ensure small- and medium-sized businesses are not left behind.
“If we want AI-driven growth to benefit all of New Jersey, small and medium-sized businesses must have access to the tools, training, and resources necessary to compete, while also building a workforce prepared to meet the demands of an increasingly AI-enabled economy,” they said. “Broadening access to AI innovation will help those job creators grow, hire, and create opportunities in communities across our state.”
State Policies Should Embrace AI
Ford and Ramirez urged lawmakers to use a balanced policy approach for artificial intelligence that protects workers without stifling innovation.
“The question is whether New Jersey will help shape that future or allow it to happen elsewhere. We can establish sensible safeguards while still encouraging investment, entrepreneurship, and growth,” they said.
To read the entire testimony, go here.