OMB cited an AI “talent surge” including steps such as allowing direct hire authorities and excepted service authorities. Image: Marko Aliaksandr/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe White House has touted hiring by federal agencies for artificial intelligence-related positions as among the actions have taken in the year since a sweeping executive order on AI.
“AI can help government deliver better results for the American people, though its use by federal agencies can also pose risks, such as discrimination and unsafe decisions. Bringing AI and AI-enabling professionals into government, moreover, is vital for managing these risks and opportunities and advancing other critical AI missions,” says a fact sheet.
It cites the AI “talent surge” including steps such as allowing direct hire authorities and excepted service authorities, guidance on skills-based hiring and pay and leave flexibilities, participation in career fairs to connect the public with AI and tech jobs in government, among others.
That has resulted in the placement of some 250 specialists across agencies “with the Presidential Innovation Fellows bringing on their first-ever AI cohort, DHS establishing their AI Corps with over 30 members on-boarded to date, and the U.S. Digital Corps providing pathways for early-career technologists to join federal service. AI talent has been instrumental in delivering on critical AI priorities, from using AI to deliver top-tier government services, to protecting the public’s rights and safety in the use of AI.”
It also cited steps including issuance of what it called the first government-wide policy on AI governance and risk management “to reliably assess, test, and monitor AI’s impacts on the public and provide greater transparency into how the government uses AI. OMB’s policy also directs agencies to designate Chief AI Officers to coordinate the use of AI across their agency, while expanding and up-skilling their AI workforce and removing barriers to adopting AI for all manner of purposes.”
Other agency actions it highlighted include identifying use cases that impact rights or safety and how the agency is addressing the relevant risks in line with OMB’s policies; developing guidance and tools for managing AI risk in general; and the recent issuance of a national security memorandum on AI use.
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