In January 2024 and 2025, LMIS launched a first-of-its-kind survey and follow-up to gather insights on mission-driven professionals’ adoption (or not!) of AI tools, Understanding the mission-driven sector’s engagement with AI. With over 100 respondents each time, the survey has reached across the mission-driven sector with particular emphasis on workforce development professionals.

In fall 2025, LMIS will hold a Research Breakfast to present new findings from this research. Findings have also been presented at NYATEP’s annual Partners for Workforce and Economic Development Conference,  JobsFirstNYC’s 2024 Adapting to the Age of AI, and through the CUNY Graduate Center’s Office of Career Planning and Professional Development. In our April 2024 LMIS LaborLink Data Snapshot, we present the context for our survey, exploring recent thinking and research on the current state, and future, of AI.

There has been breathtaking growth in the use of AI, especially driven by excitement around Large Language Models (LLMs) following the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022. Decision-makers across government and education have responded quickly and ambitiously to these new technologies. Aided by the one of the largest-ever donations to CUNY – a $75 million gift from the Simons Foundation – the University is diving into the AI revolution. The funds will be used for a new master’s degree program at our home institution, the CUNY Graduate Center, that will be built around computational research, the hiring of new faculty, and funding and workforce opportunities for students (including undergraduates) and faculty. Housing many of the best colleges in the country for upward mobility, CUNY is uniquely placed to make AI accessible to all, and LMIS is excited to be part of this important work!