Great Lakes Wire

A recent report from the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), presented at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, highlighted the necessity for workforce training in artificial intelligence (AI) as industries evolve across Michigan. LEO Director Susan Corbin noted that AI could impact up to 2.8 million jobs statewide within the next decade.

“These changes are here to stay. I was hoping that I could coast out this next year and a half and not think about AI, but I told my team we can’t do that. In fact, we are going to see more and more of this in every facet of our personal and professional lives,” Corbin said.

The "AI and Michigan Workforce" report supplements the state's previous workforce plan, focusing on three key policies: developing technical skills for an AI-driven economy, aiding current workers in adapting to AI's influence on their roles, and facilitating AI research connections between businesses and workers.

“We want to make sure nobody is left behind in this position and enabling businesses to adapt to the AI economy by ensuring small and medium-sized businesses can adopt and benefit from AI,” she said.

Corbin emphasized collaboration among government, education, business, workforce, and community organizations: “Now is the time for all of us...to work together and identify opportunities to invest in our workforce and needs of tomorrow.”

Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation, stressed the importance of equipping students with AI skills while considering its effects on current employment structures. “We want to make sure that as technology reduces and changes the nature of work...that they can move to higher-functioning...and higher-paying jobs,” Messer stated.

Small Business Association President Brian Calley described AI adoption as an "urgent issue," urging proactive engagement with its benefits. “What we don’t want to do is be flat-footed...That’s really the trick here,” Calley said.

BAMF Health CEO Anthony Chang emphasized AI's significance in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosing diseases like cancer. His Grand Rapids-based business requires radiologists proficient in AI to handle increasing demand efficiently. “What we are trying to solve over here is how to scale up this kind of technology...to make it accessible, affordable...to the people,” Chang explained.

Michigan Department of Transportation Director Brad Wieferich noted significant shifts due to CAD automation in engineering projects such as road design plans for Interstate 696's Rouge River Bridge. He highlighted ongoing developments: “They are expecting that this technology is going to be there. We’re going to have to make sure that the market also evolves with the tools...to actually consume and use that data now,” he concluded.