Events
America's Hidden Innovation Engines: Event with Rachel Lipson
October 1, 2025
We welcomed Rachel Lipson, who is a Research Fellow at Harvard's Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government and founding director of the Harvard Project on Workforce. She is the co-editor of the Harvard Education Press volume America's Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity. Rachel discussed her new project, the New American Frontier, which explores a new generation of technical jobs—many fueled by AI and other emerging technologies—that do not require a four-year degree. A key premise of the project is that U.S. education and training systems have been too focused on desk jobs, rather than the hands-on, technical roles that are resilient to AI, critical to national security, and driving growth in emerging industries—like electricians, production and maintenance technicians, welders, and HVACs. The book will draw on examples from domestic "frontier regions" that have been early movers in the production of key technologies like AI data centers, semiconductors, quantum computing, clean energy, aerospace, biomanufacturing, and electric vehicles. It will use the experience of these regions to show which kinds of jobs are emerging, what it takes to prepare workers for these roles, and how leaders can invest in policies that align with strategic industries and expand access to good jobs.
The Last Human Job: Event with Allison Pugh
April 22, 2025
MSU's College of Social Science welcomed bestselling author Dr. Allison Pugh to discuss her new book: "The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World." The book explores the human connections that underlie our work, arguing that what people do for each other in these settings is valuable and worth preserving, especially considering recent advances in AI. Pugh sought out to find the answer to what it means to be human, what humans do for each other, and how machines shape the future of human work. She argues that while AI has opened the door to new discoveries and ways of doing things, it cannot replace interpersonal interactions and human connection. She recommends transparency surrounding the use of AI in the workplace, as well as utilizing it in tandem with human leadership and a dedicated social architecture that preserves human connection.
Sarah Fox Lecture
April 18, 2025
We welcomed Dr. Sarah Fox, who spoke about worker-centered design. Worker-centered design is an approach that emphasizes the well-being and input of employees, aiming to enhance not only productivity but also cooperation, autonomy, and fulfillment. Drawing on ongoing ethnographic and design research, she discussed two distinct cases in sectors facing different forms of technological change: 1) public transportation, for which autonomous vehicle technologies are being developed; and 2) hospitality, which regularly employs algorithmic management. Across these sites, Dr. Fox described labor-aligned efforts to evaluate the impacts of AI technologies on work practices and to develop methods and tools to ensure that working people have a voice in the creation, integration, and governance of technologies in their workplaces. Dr. Fox is an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in the Human Computer Interaction Institute, where she directs the Tech Solidarity Lab.
2024 Future of Work Convening
March 8, 2024
Tara Behrend, director of the Future of Work Initiative, organized the conference convening. She opens the conference providing more background on the initiative.
We hosted a convening to bring together researchers, industry leaders, educators, and community partners to drive conversation about how to address challenges related to the changing landscape of work and the rise of AI and automation. Co-organized by Dorothy Carter, Nathan Carter, and Tara Behrend, with opening remarks from CSS Dean Brent Donnellan and Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko, the day featured flash talks from psychology, economics, geography, law, HRLR, supply chain management, education, construction management, and engineering; and lively discussions from all 70 attendees. Janet Lillie, MSU Assistant Vice President for Community Relations, delivered a keynote that described the landscape of Michigan workforce development leaders. A closing keynote from Dr. Ruth Watkins, President of the Strada Education Network, challenged attendees to re-envision the future of the land grant university and how we can better serve working learners of the future. Additionally, we hosted a poster competition for MSU doctoral students studying future of work topics.