DOL Releases AI Literacy Framework to Guide National Workforce Training Efforts

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration published an AI Literacy Framework on February 13, 2026, through Training and Employment Notice 07-25, establishing foundational guidance for developing AI literacy programs across workforce development and education systems nationwide.

The framework outlines five foundational content areas covering understanding how AI works, exploring AI applications, effective prompting techniques, evaluating AI outputs, and managing AI responsibly through secure usage practices. These are paired with seven delivery principles designed to ensure flexibility and adaptability across industries, roles, educational sectors, and workforce contexts.

According to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the framework supports DOL's commitment to ensuring American workers "share in the prosperity that AI will create for our economy." Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the framework will "help build the workforce for the golden age" by equipping students with necessary skills.

The release follows previous WIOA funding guidance issued in August 2025 that encouraged states and localities to use Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds and governor's reserve monies for AI skills development. The framework reflects stakeholder input from employers, training providers, state and local agencies, and education stakeholders, with plans for continued evolution based on feedback, AI capability advances, and labor market changes.

The framework advances the Trump Administration's implementation of the AI Action Plan released in July 2025 and America's Talent Strategy issued jointly by the Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education in August 2025. These policy documents establish AI literacy as a national workforce development priority aligned with broader economic competitiveness goals.

The Employment and Training Administration welcomes stakeholder feedback on effective AI literacy implementation, barriers to success, and opportunities for additional guidance. Interested parties can participate in training webinars by contacting aiworkforce@dol.gov.

Key Points

• Framework establishes five foundational content areas and seven delivery principles for AI literacy programming
• Designed to be flexible and adaptable across industries, roles, educational sectors, and workforce contexts
• Follows August 2025 guidance encouraging use of WIOA funding for AI skills development
• Reflects input from employers, training providers, state and local agencies, and education stakeholders
• Supports implementation of White House AI Action Plan and America's Talent Strategy
• Framework will continue evolving based on stakeholder feedback and labor market changes
• Stakeholders can access training webinars through aiworkforce@dol.gov

Primary Source Author: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration

Primary Source: Training and Employment Notice No. 07-25

Primary Source Link: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/ten-07-25

Supplemental Links

• https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260213
• https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/tegl-03-25
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Americas-AI-Action-Plan.pdf
• https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2025/08/Americas-Talent-Strategy-Building-the-Workforce-for-the-Golden-Age.pdf
• https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa
• https://www.meritalk.com/articles/dols-sonderling-touts-ai-literacy-as-key-to-workforce-readiness/
• https://hrexecutive.com/insights-from-the-deputy-labor-secretary-preparing-your-workforce-for-2026/
• https://www.naco.org/news/dol-announces-ai-workforce-development-program-part-white-house-ai-action-plan
• https://ailiteracyframework.org/