U.S. Government Launches Free AI Literacy Course for Federal Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor has launched a new initiative, “Make America AI-Ready,” offering a free artificial intelligence literacy course aimed at equipping workers with essential AI skills. The programme allows participants to enroll simply by texting “READY” to 20202, making it highly accessible across the country.

The course is part of the administration’s broader push to prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy, aligning with America’s Talent Strategy and the White House’s AI Action Plan. It is designed as a seven-day program requiring just 10 minutes of daily engagement, delivering lessons and challenges entirely through text messages.

Officials said the mobile-first format ensures inclusivity, particularly for individuals without access to laptops or reliable internet connectivity. The initiative was developed in partnership with Arist, an edtech firm involved in advancing AI education through public-private collaboration.

“The ‘Make America AI-Ready’ initiative is designed to ensure every American worker has the chance to learn foundational skills so they can benefit from the opportunities that the AI economy presents. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Labor remains committed to putting American workers first by providing them with the skills they need to support themselves and their families,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

“This initiative will help demystify AI for American workers. We are seeing AI create new jobs, new levels of productivity, and new forms of entrepreneurship, and we want to make sure all Americans have the skills to share in that prosperity,” Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. added.

The curriculum covers five core areas, including understanding AI principles, exploring real-world applications, prompting effectively, evaluating outputs, and using AI responsibly. The department said the course serves as an entry point, guiding participants toward more advanced learning and AI-related career opportunities.