RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia's workforce is "especially exposed" to the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), with roughly 1 in 3 Virginia jobs seen as vulnerable to having their regular tasks augmented or automated, per a new report. The Virginia Chamber Foundation recently released the "Vi rginia AI Landscape Assessment," which it described as a "landmark" report that outlines the expected impacts of AI on the Commonwealth's workforce over the next five years. The challenge AI presents to the workforce isn't exclusive to Virginia. Nearly one-third of American jobs are expected to be impacted by AI over the next five years. RELATED: Virginia’s new AI pilot program to cut regulations and raises questions on efficiency, transparency However, according to the 127-page report, Virginia's workforce is "especially exposed" to these impacts due to its mix of technology, finance, professional services and government contracting jobs. Several other studies have ranked Virginia among the top five to 10 states whose workforces are "exposed" or "highly exposed" to AI. An estimated up to 1.5 million Virginia jobs could see the majority of their regular tasks augmented or automated by AI, the report states. That represents about 35% of Virginia's jobs. The researchers behind the report made several recommendations that they said will help Virginia prepare its workforce to adapt and thrive amid the age of AI. Lauren T.A. Willis and William Amos -- who chair the Growth Opportunity Virginia (GO Virginia) region councils for Region 2 and 3, respectively -- said this report makes it "clear that artificial intelligence will change how work gets done across Virginia." RELATED: ‘A slippery slope,' Experts weigh in on educational AI following federal guidance letter “The opportunity now is to help businesses adopt these tools strategically while ensuring workers have access to the training and resources they need to adapt, upskill and succeed," they said in a Jan. 6 press release. Where is Virginia now when it comes to AI? Virginians use AI at rates greater than most other states, per the report. OpenAI, the parent company behind ChatGPT, reported that Virginia saw the highest quarter-over-quarter growth in use of ChatGPT nationwide in July 2025. Additionally, the use of AI by Virginia businesses has more than doubled since September 2023, when the U.S. Census Bureau began surveying businesses on AI use, the report states. In July 2025, AI was mentioned in the job description of 8,490 unique job postings in Virginia. Since 2022, about 6,350 different employers have competed in Virginia for AI talent. FROM 2023: Virginia ranks amongst the ‘Top 10 Most AI-obsessed’ states About 95% of Virginia employers surveyed for this report said that AI is in use within their business, often on a daily or weekly basis. However, while AI use may be widespread throughout Virginia businesses, the majority of businesses are "informal" about it -- meaning there are no policies or other potential safeguards in place. "It's the 'Wild West' out there with some workers using sanctioned AI tools, others using them on their own and still others being scared of them altogether," reads a comment from a focus group held by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce during its Blueprint Tour. Additionally, only 31% of surveyed businesses are actively training their employees on AI use. "For the last century, we have taught our workforce to be makers," reads another focus group comment. "Now we need to reach them to be thinkers, problem solvers." RELATED: Google partners with Youngkin and offers AI training courses to Virginia job seekers When it comes to incoming workers, student training on AI is "somewhat limited" at this time, with few AI-related degrees or certificate programs available. While Virginia is one of only five states that includes AI-specific content in its K-12 computer science educational standards, only 68% of its school divisions offer computer science courses. However, even these limited efforts have been a "key factor" in helping to make Virginia a "hub for technology businesses," per the report. How will AI change Virginia's jobs? As said previously, up to 1.5 million Virginia jobs could see the majority of their regular tasks augmented or automated by AI -- but what would this actually look like in practice? Per the report, the answer isn't so simple. "The extent to which AI will affect specific occupations and individual positions varies widely based on the type of tasks associated with the job," the report states. RELATED: VCU professor says new AI ad method can help save businesses time and money If AI is able to augment a job's tasks, it could make an employee's work more efficient rather than outright replace them. However, if AI can automate that job, employees may be ousted in favor of AI tools. "Significant disruptions and changes are likely for workers and businesses in every region of Virginia as AI use and adoption increases over the next few years," per the report. While some work has been done to help prepare Virginia's workforce over the last few years, more needs to be done in order to ensure the least disruption possible, according to the report. "AI is not going to replace your job, but people who know how to leverage and use AI will," another focus group comment reads. RELATED: Virginians looking to invest should beware of AI-enhanced scams: SCC About 10% of the employers surveyed by researchers said they intend to hire fewer workers due to AI's impacts, while 21% said they intend to hire more and 24% are unsure about their hiring plans. About a third of respondents said they want the majority of their new hires to have AI-related skills. Where are these impacts most likely to be felt? AI's impacts will be felt by young Virginia workers most, with nearly 500,000 Virginians between the ages of 21 and 35 likely to see AI-related changes. Existing studies already indicate that those entering the workforce or early in their career are seeing fewer job opportunities due to AI's influence. The types of Virginia jobs most likely to be impacted are software developers, general and operational managers, customer service representatives and clerical workers, per the report. RELATED: Attorney General Miyares demand Meta to protect kids from sexual AI exploitation When it comes to industries, about 58% of jobs in finance and insurance are expected to be impacted, as well as over half of the professional services, information and management workforces. Additionally, AI's impacts will be felt most in the Commonwealth's larger and more densely populated metro areas, as well as areas with higher educational attainment levels, the report states. Researchers broke down the expected impacts of AI on jobs at the regional level to determine which parts of Virginia are considered most exposed. GO Virginia's Region 7, which is located in Northern Virginia, is considered the most exposed, with 39% percent of its workforce expected to be impacted by AI. RELATED: ‘Underlying unease,' Warner, other senators demand action on surveillance pricing by companies The second-most exposed region is Region 4, which includes the Greater Richmond area. Just over 34% of its jobs will likely be impacted by AI. What does Virginia need to do to prepare its workforce? "Much of the significant work required over the next five years to equip Virginia's workers and businesses with training, tools and resources to adjust to AI-related workforce and workplace changes, and to capitalize on AI-related opportunities, is just getting started and will be essential during this period of technological change," the report states. The report outlines 34 recommendations on next steps to ensure that Virginia is prepared for the growth and impacts of AI. They are divided into five "goal areas," or major ideas, which are outlined as follows: 1. Virginia must pursue AI literacy statewide Researchers said that Virginia should work to achieve universal AI literacy throughout the state by making sure every student and every working-age Virginian can easily access AI literacy training through K-12 and post-secondary education, as well as workforce training programs. RELATED: Do you think you could spot a deepfake? Experts warn it’s getting tougher Seven recommendations fall under this goal area, including the following examples: Ensure administrators and teachers in all of Virginia's public school divisions are participating in AI literacy and training programs offered by the state, as well as other training resources like AI for Education Require 100% of Virginia's public schools to offer computer science courses and strive to achieve a goal of 20% student participation Ensure Virginia's colleges and universities have policies to encourage responsible and ethical AI use Encourage and facilitate the use of AI in college curricula and classroom activities Support Virginia employers in making AI training readily available to their employees 2. Virginia's incumbent workers must receive workplace training and resources on AI Virginia should immediately develop and implement new workforce training resources on AI and make sure they are both visible and accessible to existing workers, per the report. "Training and transferable skills resources are needed for incumbent workers at all levels within organizations and existing training organizations won't be able to fully meet the unprecedented volume and pace of demand," the report states. RELATED: Experts say parental controls are progress, but AI oversight must go further to protect kids Eleven recommendations fall under this goal area, including the following examples: Establish and maintain a directory of AI training resources, as well as related skills and competencies training, that are available in the state Develop and deploy a real-time labor market intelligence tool that will allow both training providers and firms to quickly respond to training demands Regularly gather feedback from the business community about AI workforce development needs, challenges and skill opportunities 3. Virginia workers impacted and displaced by AI must be given training and resources The report states that Virginia needs to be ready to support workers who may be displaced by the impacts of AI. Three recommendations fall under this goal area, including: Target displaced worker training and re-employment resources to regions with the highest levels of exposed employees Establish an AI re-employment office, which could connect impacted workers with both retraining and financial resources Consider offering limited-time supports like transportation, childcare, scholarships and other resources to displaced workers 4. Virginia businesses and organizations must be supported in optimizing AI use Researchers said that Virginia must help its businesses and organizations optimize the impact of AI by providing tools, technical assistance and resources. RELATED: Use AI for ad creation and consumer trust, but keep real people: VCU research Six recommendations fall under this goal area, including the following examples: Create guidance and model policies for employers that will help them develop "clear and simple guidance" on AI use to their employees Share real-time AI occupational impact data and information with Virginia businesses Establish targeted funding and/or tax credits to help businesses offset the costs of AI Encourage businesses to offer "time and incentives" to their employees who choose to upskill 5. Virginia must ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the growth and attraction of AI-related businesses Virginia's high concentration of data centers, fiber connectivity and abundant internet and digital firms, as well as its tech-savvy workforce, "should help grow and attract AI-related firms." However, that rapidly growing data center market may also negatively impact the chances of securing an AI industry "without strategic investment" due to its high electricity demand. MORE ON THIS: Virginia, The World’s Data Center Capital To be a "successful hub" for AI business, Virginia needs available and affordable power, as well as other related capital, according to the report. Seven recommendations fall under this goal area, including the following examples: Ensure sufficient generation and distribution of electric power to support the development of high-tech businesses Reinstate and expand research and development (RD) tax credits for AI firms and other Virginia businesses Establish a Virginia AI Investment fund to invest in both early- and growth-stage AI companies If the strategies listed across these five goal areas are implemented, Virginia "should be in one of the strongest positions among all states to capitalize on AI-related opportunities, [as well as] mitigate disruptions and impacts associated with the advancement and deployment of transformative AI technologies," per the report. RELATED: Booming data center industry both helps and hurts Virginia, JLARC study finds This report was prepared by Economic Leadership LLC and supported by a grant from GO Virginia Regions 2 and 3. ...read more read less