Lawmaker Says AI Could Help Blue-Collar Work If Used Carefully

Rep. Riley Moore, a West Virginia Republican and former welder, is arguing that artificial intelligence could support bluecollar workers instead of replacing them. In an interview, he said the technology may improve safety, productivity, and wages in industries such as manufacturing and trucking. Moore has been discussing the issue with labor groups, including the Teamsters, as Congress and businesses debate how quickly AI should be adopted in the workplace. He said he opposes fully automated trucking, but supports AI tools that could help drivers avoid fatigue and reduce accidents. The lawmaker also pointed to growing debates over data centers in West Virginia and elsewhere, saying local communities should have a say in whether such facilities are built and how they use energy and water. He framed the broader AI debate as a question of balancing economic benefits, worker dignity, and community concerns.