A Bipartisan Policy Center commission released a national workforce strategy urging updates to the Higher Education Act and workforce laws to address automation, AI and underemployment among graduates. Co‑chairs Bill Haslam and Deval Patrick highlighted estimates that a large share of U.S. work hours could be automated and urged policy changes to connect training to labor demand. Higher education experts echoed the call, urging colleges to shift from transactional employer relations to sustained partnerships that co‑design curricula, credentials and upskilling pathways. The recommendations aim to reduce underemployment among graduates and help colleges become strategic partners in regional workforce pipelines.