The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and a new generation of robots mean millions of workers will see their jobs change or vanish. In manufacturing intensive Wisconsin, workers are even more vulnerable than the rest of the nation.

What can be done?

Most experts say invest in two-year technical degrees, four-year college degrees and retraining programs tailored for a data-driven automation age.

RELATED:One in four Wisconsin jobs at high risk in a new age of robotic workers and hyper-automation

“Mid-career job training will be essential," concludes the McKinsey Global Institute.

Other ideas:

Think of occupational evolution — not job losses

Jobs that have the best chance of survival will have a diverse collection of tasks. "It's unlikely that machines will substitute for all tasks in any one occupation," wrote the Brookings Institution. That means employment will go to those willing to adapt alongside increasingly capable machines. "What technology doesn’t replace, it complements," Brookings wrote. "Automation will bring neither apocalypse nor utopia."

Not all jobs are in danger

While machines are destined to replace activities that are routine and time-consuming, a raft of human work defies easy automation. These include team leadership, management, the creation and communication of ideas and strategies. Tech professionals and high-end systems engineers who can program automation systems also are safe. And artificial intelligence can't do social work, psychotherapy or compose music.

Don't look to Uncle Sam for help

Partisan gridlock among federal lawmakers means most actions will fall to governors and state leaders, Brookings acknowledges in its "Governor’s policy playbook" to address automation-driven disruptions. "A robust federal agenda appears unlikely at the moment, meaning that adjustment policy represents yet another area in which state and local actors can lead."

Strengthen the education pipeline

State politicians should invest in schools from pre-kindergarten on up, championing a curriculum that familiarizes students with computer science, coding and statistics. Rival economies China and India, after all, are investing heavily in education and universities. American high schools and trade schools can create “boot camps” to grant technical certifications in a short period of time.

State training tax credits

These are meant to subsidize employer-sponsored training for specific occupations, Brookings recommends in its playbook. States also could create subsidized employment programs for disadvantaged workers, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, who may otherwise struggle to find stable work.

Tinker with the social safety net

States should build supports meant to help make transitions between jobs less disruptive, Brookings urges. That could mean that states expand unemployment benefits for residents who are involuntarily working part time.

Invest in health and retirement benefits

Many Americans cannot afford to change jobs or enroll in higher education because most receive health care benefits from their employers. Brookings suggests that states enact paid sick and family leave legislation, expand Medicaid or explore state-led public health care options. Another idea is to create "portable benefits programs" for workers with multiple part-time jobs.