At CES 2026, Washington, DC demonstrated what it looks like when artificial intelligence moves beyond experimentation and becomes real, functioning public infrastructure. Under the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser, the District showcased deployed AI workforce systems that are already delivering measurable economic and employment outcomes for residents, employers, and the regional economy.
With more than 148,000 attendees from over 60 countries, CES 2026 offered a global stage for the District to show how responsible AI, when designed with people at the center, can modernize workforce development and strengthen long-term economic competitiveness.
AI as Core Workforce Infrastructure—Not a Pilot
Washington, DC’s presence at CES highlighted a major shift in how governments can use artificial intelligence. Rather than testing limited pilots, the District is operating AI as core infrastructure across workforce, education, economic development, and technology systems.
This effort is led by the Capital Workforce Innovation Consortium, which includes the Department of Employment Services (DOES), the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME). Together, these agencies are aligning AI deployment with real labor-market demand, equitable access to opportunity, and transparent governance.
As Dr. Unique Morris Hughes, Director of DOES, emphasized at CES, AI only works when humans remain firmly at the center—supported by collaboration among government, technology providers, nonprofits, startups, and disability advocates.
Delivering Real Results for Residents and Employers
At the heart of DC’s AI workforce strategy are SkillsNation and TalentCapital.ai, platforms built and operated by workforce-technology company BuildWithin. These systems use real-time labor-market intelligence to map in-demand skills, identify career pathways, and connect residents to relevant jobs and training opportunities.
The results to date underscore the scale and impact of deployed AI workforce systems:
- More than 100,000 residents and jobseekers have engaged with TalentCapital.ai
- Over 80,000 AI-driven matches have been generated across jobs, training programs, and career pathways
- Opportunities are continuously refreshed across a multi-state workforce ecosystem
By replacing static job boards and manual matching with dynamic, skills-based AI systems, DC is helping residents discover opportunities they might otherwise miss—while enabling employers to more efficiently find and retain talent critical to business growth.
Aligning Education, Jobs, and Economic Growth
AI-driven workforce development is also helping align education systems with real-world demand. According to Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, these tools are already improving how learning pathways connect to regional labor-market needs—ensuring residents are prepared for emerging careers.
From an economic development perspective, DC’s approach supports employers in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced technology. By embedding AI into workforce and economic systems, the District is strengthening its position as a competitive place to grow, attract, and retain businesses.
Nina Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, reinforced that economic growth depends on talent—and AI enables the District to scale talent readiness while supporting business innovation.
Responsible AI Built on Governance and Trust
A defining theme of DC’s CES 2026 showcase was responsible AI. The District’s strategy embeds governance, transparency, security, and accountability from the outset—ensuring AI systems deliver public value while maintaining trust.
Chief Technology Officer Stephen N. Miller noted that the goal is not experimentation, but reliable, secure operation at scale. In this model, AI functions as governed public infrastructure that improves how government serves people.
A National Model for AI-Powered Workforce Systems
CES 2026 reinforced Washington, DC’s role as a national leader in public-sector AI and workforce innovation. Through partnerships with technology providers like BuildWithin and regional organizations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, the District is demonstrating how AI can strengthen regional talent retention and economic resilience.
As AI and other frontier technologies accelerate, DC’s message was clear: innovation matters most when it improves people’s lives.
