NEW YORK — Last Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a set of new initiatives to help New Yorkers navigate the growing impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and the economy — including the launch of AI Prep, a statewide workforce effort led by Empire State Development.
As part of this announcement, Pursuit has been selected to lead AI Prep for Jobs, one of two core tracks focused on expanding access to AI-related careers for low-income New Yorkers. 
Artificial intelligence is already changing how work gets done and who gets access to opportunity. Entry-level corporate jobs in New York City have declined by 37% in recent years, and many roles are being reshaped as AI tools are more widely adopted. 
Governor Hochul’s announcement reflects a broader effort to respond to these shifts, spanning workforce training, higher education, small business support, and responsible AI use across state government. AI Prep is a central part of that response, focused on ensuring more New Yorkers can access and benefit from these changes.
Pursuit will serve as the statewide lead for AI Prep for Jobs, working alongside a coalition of organizations with deep roots in their regions and strong track records in workforce development. Together, this initiative will deliver immersive, in-person training to 420 low-income New Yorkers across New York City, Buffalo, and Syracuse over an 18-month period, paired with structured pathways into paid, AI-enabled work through apprenticeships, projects, and employment opportunities. 
The coalition includes:
Pursuit (NYC) – Program lead, curriculum developer, and platform operator
Per Scholas (Buffalo) – Training delivery partner with a national track record in tech workforce development
Le Moyne College / ERIE21 (Syracuse) – Academic and community-based training partner in Central New York
CenterState CEO (Central NY) – Regional employer and economic development connector
TechBuffalo (Western NY) – Employer engagement lead for the Buffalo region
Together, these partners bring training expertise, community trust, and employer connections, allowing the program to reflect regional needs while operating as a coordinated statewide effort.
AI Prep for Jobs and Pursuit’s model reflect a fundamental shift in how workforce systems must operate in an AI era.
Rather than relying on static curricula or lecture-based instruction, the model is built on:
Learning by building: Participants develop real AI solutions in the first week and work towards a capstone AI project sourced from leading industry partners
Many-to-many learning environments: Peer collaboration mirrors modern AI-enabled workplaces
AI-augmented instruction: Technology delivers personalized support, while instructors focus on coaching and higher-order skillsHuman skills as core infrastructure: Adaptability, problem-solving, and communication are treated as essential capabilities in an AI-driven economy
As technology continues to evolve, the goal is not just to prepare people for a single role, but to equip them to navigate ongoing change and take advantage of new opportunities as they emerge.
Pursuit is proud to partner with New York State, Empire State Development, and organizations across the state to help ensure that more New Yorkers can participate in and benefit from the opportunities created by AI.
For more information, visit pursuit.org.
