On February 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor issued Training and Employment Notice (TEN) No. 07-25, mandating the deployment of AI literacy training across all 50 state workforce agencies, American Job Centers, and community colleges nationwide. The framework requires immediate implementation and establishes five foundational content areas: understanding AI principles; exploring AI uses; directing AI effectively; evaluating AI outputs; and using AI responsibly. The mandate applies to all workforce development programs funded through federal workforce grants.
Who it affects: All workers enrolled in or accessing services through the American Job Center network, community college workforce programs, and state-funded training initiatives. Employers and training providers contracted to deliver these services must incorporate AI literacy as a core component. By design, this reaches workers across all sectors, not just tech roles.
What is notably missing: The framework does not specify minimum training hours, standardized curricula content across states, or enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance by state agencies. It does not mandate AI ethics training beyond general “using AI responsibly” language. No funding is allocated for training displaced workers specifically affected by AI automation, despite the framework’s focus on workforce readiness. The framework addresses workforce training but does not extend to K-12 schools or mandate AI literacy in general education.