Marketplace All-in-One Former regional Fed president: We need an "AI land grant act"
Nov 6, 2025
Pat Harker, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and now a distinguished professor at Wharton, proposes a 'digital land grant' to enhance AI workforce training. He discusses how tech companies must contribute to lasting community benefits after data centers are built. Harker advocates for forming university networks to scale AI education and promotes a 'digital dividend' funding model. He highlights the urgency of adapting training for rural economies, where applied AI can transform sectors like agriculture and healthcare.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Cyber Land As The New Battleground
- Pat Harker reframes 'land' as cyber land where technological action and investment now happen.
- He argues for a modern land-grant approach to train Americans for the AI era through university networks.
Build University Networks For AI Training
- Create networks linking large research universities, regional universities, and community colleges to build AI programs.
- Fund faculty training, student support, and public-private partnerships to accelerate skill-building and innovation.
Use A Digital Dividend To Fund Training
- Fund the program with a 'digital dividend' requiring tech companies to contribute since federal research helped build today's tech.
- Use negotiated contributions to ensure everyone puts skin in the game and supports local communities hosting data centers.