— Subcommittee leaders on the Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence say Wisconsin should invest in tax credits for AI development, assistance for workers displaced by the technology and industry-informed skills training.
During yesterday’s virtual meeting of the task force, representatives of the group’s three subcommittees shared updates on their work as they prepare to submit recommendation reports by Feb. 5.
Trina Zano, chief IT officer for the state Department of Administration, said the Industries, Occupations and Skills subcommittee identified health care, government and manufacturing as the top three industries most likely to be impacted by AI.
“We see software engineering, predictive analytics and market research being the areas of opportunity, given the AI landscape and the data availability that we know exists today,” she said yesterday.
She said subcommittee members see AI as more likely to “augment” jobs rather than reduce or eliminate them entirely, and believe the state should prioritize funding for industry incubators to foster entrepreneurship and innovation for the technology. Zano also raised the possibility of driving growth in AI through tax incentives.
“Certainly we’ve seen tax credits and incentives to draw workers and companies into different spaces,” she said. “There’s no reason why it wouldn’t work in the AI space as well.”
Meanwhile, Midpoint Ventures Managing Partner Israel Squires said the Workforce Development and Educational Solutions subcommittee has identified access to broadband and related training as a top priority.
He shared a number of ideas members believe are most likely to succeed: requiring computer science and data science courses for all college majors; establishing a “micro credential” AI program for K-12 and higher education; investing in AI innovation and resource centers; and K-12 mandates for digital literacy, cybersecurity and AI training.
“As more AI tools become available, having informed decision makers will enable Wisconsin businesses and government to be able to evaluate the potential benefits of adoption … Having a well-informed public will empower individuals to productively use these new technologies and minimize the risks involved,” he said.
Also during the meeting, Milky Way Tech Hub founder and CEO Nadiyah Johnson discussed forming partnerships between educational institutions and technology developers to create a standardized curriculum for AI information.
But even with investments into skills training and education, Johnson acknowledged certain workers will lose their jobs as the economy is affected by widespread adoption of AI. She argued that transition is already underway.
“We’re living it,” she said. “AI is currently displacing some workers and will continue to do so, and we need to make sure that these workers are well taken care of and protected, and doing so, providing them with hubs that can connect them with different jobs.”
Along with the subcommittee updates and other speakers, yesterday’s meeting included remarks from Stephanie Wright, chief operating officer for the U.S. Center for Advanced Manufacturing. She told the task force that U.S. manufacturers are “doing well” at implementing certain digital technologies, but the industry is far from using AI to the fullest.
“What can we do as an ecosystem to ensure that each level of the value chain is progressing in digital technology in general,” she said. “I think it’s a farce to say ‘oh, everybody is doing something about AI specifically.’ I would say digital technology yes, AI specifically, we have a long way to go.”
The task force’s next meeting is slated for March 4, according to a Department of Workforce Development spokesperson.
Watch the meeting here: https://wiseye.org/2024/01/22/governors-task-force-on-workforce-and-artificial-intelligence-3/
See a recent story on AI in health care: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/uw-oshkosh-nursing-dean-discusses-ethical-privacy-concerns-around-ai/
— The state Department of Transportation has named the recipients of its 2023 Excellence in Construction Awards, recognizing the top projects from the past year.
“We are extremely proud of the work over the past five years to improve more than 7,400 miles of roadway and 1,780 bridges in Wisconsin,” DOT Secretary Craig Thompson said in a statement. “We continue to make strategic transportation investments in every county across the state and these awards showcase those efforts.”
Recipients include:
*Monarch Paving in Avery, awarded for excellence in asphalt paving. It’s being recognized for its work on about eight miles of US 63 from the St. Croix County line north to Polk County J, which was finished two weeks ahead of schedule.
*Trierweiler Construction in Marshfield, recognized for its concrete paving on Blair Street between Williamson Street and East Washington Avenue in Madison.
*Mashuda Construction in Princeton, awarded for grading work on the WIS 15 expansion, between US 45 in New London and Lily of the Valley Drive in Greenville. The project rebuilt 3.6 miles of the highway, expanding it from two to four lanes.
* Kraemer North America in Plain, awarded for its work on small structures. The business replaced parts of the WIS 23 bridge over the Pecatonica River in Lafayette County, adding new elements including a steel railing, sidewalks and lighting.
*Zenith Tech in Waukesha, recognized for its large structure work. The business replaced the Jefferson Street bridge in the City of Burlington and worked on the city’s riverwalk area.
*Michels Road & Stone Inc. in Brownsville, which received this year’s “large contract” award. The business worked on part of the Zoo Interchange North Leg in Milwaukee County, expanding two miles of highway from three to four lanes and reconstructing the North Avenue interchange.
See more details on the awardees and their projects: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/012224-2023ConstructionAwards.aspx
— Wisconsin and Minnesota have been awarded over $1 billion in federal funds to replace a bridge between the two states, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced.
The $1.05 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be used to help replace the Blatnik Bridge between Superior and Duluth, according to the Madison Dem’s release. The two states originally applied for $883 million from the federal government for the project, but the proposal wasn’t selected for funding.
The two states took feedback from that process to rework the application they submitted last month.
The two states have each committed $400 million toward the project’s cost in addition to the $1 billion in funding.
— Federal officials have announced more than $700,000 in new funding for sustainability projects in Wisconsin.
The grants are part of a $207 million round of funding announced by the USDA, supporting efforts related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, fertilizer and more. Funding for most projects comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a release.
All of the Wisconsin projects are being supported through the Rural Energy for America Program. In a statement on the funding, Wisconsin State Director for USDA Rural Development Julie Lassa said the agency’s grant awards help farmers and small business owners lower their energy costs, generate new income and improve finances.
“Saving farmers and business owners money on their energy costs allows them to invest back into their businesses and rural communities,” she said in the agency’s release.
The largest grant, for more than $240,000, is going to Progress Auto LLC in New Lisbon. The small business will use the money to install a solar electric system, which is expected to save it about $21,000 per year. The solar array will replace 97% of the business’s annual energy use, enough energy to power 28 homes.
Other awards in the state range from about $125,000 to $32,000, funding the installation of more solar systems at other businesses as well as more efficient grain dryer systems at farming operations.
The other recipients include: Moneypenny Farms in Mineral Point, with $125,000 in funding; Glenwood City farmer David W. Hoffman, $122,117; Carlson Farm Partnership, $75,219; Wesby farmer Allan W. Hass, $35,289; Manitowish Cranberry Company Inc. of Manitowish Waters, $77,582; and Bashaw Valley Enterprises Inc. in Shell Lake, $31,935.
See the full list of funded projects: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/usda-rd-reap-fpep-chart-01162024.pdf
— Hospital Sisters Health System is closing hospitals in La Crosse and Eau Claire in a “complete exit” from the state’s western region.
The health system yesterday announced the closure of HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, as well as physician network Prevea Health closing its Chippewa Valley locations.
Its release cites “prolonged operational and financial stress” related to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the tight workforce, inflation and “local market challenges.”
HSHS President and CEO Damond Boatwright said the health system and Prevea’s operations have struggled in the region for years due to a mismatch between health care demand and supply.
“We closely considered all other options and sought strategic alternatives,” Boatwright said in a statement. “After an agreement with a suitable partner did not work out, it was determined that exiting the market is the only feasible path forward.”
The closures, slated for spring through early summer of this year, will affect about 1,400 employees of the health system and Prevea.
See the release:
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— Both those who support abortion rights and those who oppose them are knocking a proposal by GOP lawmakers to ask voters to impose a ban on the procedure after 14 weeks of pregnancy.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# HSHS announces closure of Chippewa Valley hospitals, Prevea Health locations
# Federal government delivers $1 billion to replace Blatnik Bridge
# Madison’s Troy Farm halts CSA program, citing financial pressure
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Cheese export boost – UW research melts borders
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=61&yr=2024
# CONSTRUCTION
– WisDOT names landmark road projects of 2023
# EDUCATION
– Boost your CAFO – expert workshops in WI
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=60&yr=2024
– UW-Green Bay ending in-person classes in Marinette County
– Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would change 4K in Wisconsin. Here’s how.
# HEALTH CARE
– Health care advocates say dental therapists will help provider shortage in Wisconsin
# LABOR
– Quad plant closings accelerate. See the list of recent shutdowns.
# MANAGEMENT
– Burke Foundation promotes Christopher Due to executive director
– Bright Cellars CEO departs company
# MANUFACTURING
– Automotive components manufacturer Nemak building $18 million addition in Sheboygan
# POLITICS
– President Joe Biden announces trip to Superior, Wis., to tout economic agenda
# REAL ESTATE
– Michels Corp. to build pollution storage facility on Jones Island
– Pewaukee golf course eyed for 460 housing units under redevelopment concept
– Milwaukee Repertory Theater leases Wauwatosa space for production center
# RETAIL
– Led by new CEO, GenoPalate introduces its first retail partnership
# SMALL BUSINESS
– Milton welcomes Mary’s Cafe to downtown
– Let the dice choose your coffee flavors at this Menasha board game cafe
# UTILITIES
– Want to work in the solar industry? This free Madison class is for you
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Fox Cities Chamber: Booth registration Open for Fox Cities Chamber Career Expo
Lawrence University: Students to hold 59th annual Great Midwest Trivia Contest Jan. 26-28
