Request for Information: Building an Evidence Network for AI in Workforce Systems

Artificial intelligence is changing how people prepare for work, build skills, find jobs, and navigate career transitions. Across the workforce field, organizations are beginning to explore how AI can strengthen training, career navigation, service delivery, and worker supports.

AIR is seeking ideas from workforce organizations, education and training providers, employers, public agencies, technology providers, and others using, adapting, or exploring AI-enabled approaches to advance work readiness, worker resiliency, and worker prosperity. We welcome submissions at any stage, from early concepts and prototypes to pilots and deployed solutions, and we are especially interested in approaches grounded in real-world needs and feasible to evaluate.

Read on for key dates, focus areas, and how to submit. 

Key details 

• Request for Information (RFI): Building an Evidence Network for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Workforce Systems 
• Download the RFI (PDF) 
• Information due: October 2, 2026 (12:00 p.m. ET) 
• Notification date: Week of October 26, 2026 
• Questions: AiResearch@air.org 

About AIR 

The American Institutes for Research® (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and provides hands-on technical assistance. We partner with communities, practitioners, policymakers, and organizations to generate trusted evidence and apply practical, data-driven solutions that expand opportunity and improve lives.

Purpose of this RFI 

 Through this RFI, AIR seeks to: 

• Identify promising AI-enabled approaches that could strengthen work readiness, worker resiliency, and worker prosperity.  
• Better understand how AI is being used to address real-world workforce challenges and support workers and learners.  
• Identify the critical learning questions the field should be asking about how AI can strengthen workforce opportunity, and build evidence about what works, for whom, and under what conditions. 
• Identify opportunities for future research and partnership, including joint research, pilot testing, evaluation, evidence-building, and policy translation. 

This RFI is an early step in shaping AIR’s future work on AI and workforce development, including a possible subsequent request for proposals. 

Note: This RFI is for information-gathering and planning purposes and does not constitute an offer of financial assistance or a commitment to fund any submission. Submitting a response does not guarantee future funding or an invitation to submit a proposal. Information collected may be used to shape future solicitations and partnership discussions.  

Is this a fit? What we’re looking for 

We’re especially interested in human-centered approaches that address a clearly defined workforce challenge rather than technology for technology’s sake; are grounded in the needs and experiences of workers and learners; identify meaningful questions about what can be learned; are feasible to study and learn from; and reflect thoughtful attention to responsible AI, including fairness, bias, transparency, privacy, and governance. Responses may be at any stage of development, including concept, prototype, pilot, or operational deployment. You do not need a fully developed proposal or an existing relationship with AIR to submit. We are particularly interested in organizations that want to learn alongside AIR, incorporate worker and learner perspectives, and share lessons that can help strengthen workforce systems beyond a single program or organization. Responses should align with at least one of the focus areas below:   

• Skill Training and Development

AI-enabled approaches that support career readiness, skills development, upskilling, reskilling, or lifelong learning. 

• Career Navigation and Job Placement 

Approaches that strengthen career guidance, labor market information, job search assistance, connections to employers, or job placement. 

• Basic Resources and Supports 

Approaches that help workers and learners access benefits, services, and wraparound supports that make participation in education, training, and employment possible. 

• Personalized Support 

Approaches that strengthen outreach, engagement, mentorship, peer support, and other individualized assistance for career entry, development, and transitions.  

How to submit 

• Start your submission in Submittable by clicking "Continue" below.
• Use the full RFI as your guide. Your responses should follow the requirements and word limits outlined in the RFI, including describing the workforce challenge, your AI-enabled approach, and the key questions you hope to learn through the work. Download the RFI (PDF). 
• Submit one concept per entry. If you have multiple ideas, please submit them separately and coordinate internally if multiple people from your organization are contributing. 
• Save and return anytime. You can draft your responses and come back to complete your submission before the deadline. 
• Review the Submittable Safelist Instructions to ensure notifications are not blocked or quarantined by your email system. 
• Need help? Email AiResearch@air.org with questions or accessibility needs. 

Privacy and submission note

Please do not include personally identifiable information or other sensitive information about workers, learners, or program participants in your response. Avoid sharing confidential or proprietary information you are not comfortable providing for review purposes. Submissions will be reviewed by AIR staff and external experts and may inform future AIR-led research, partnerships, and potential funding opportunities. Respondents selected to advance will be notified during the week of October 26, 2026.