Implementation of AI into Federal Agencies: Keeping an Eye on the Federal Workforce

Abstract

In just over two decades technology has fundamentally changed our society and will continue to do so. The increased reliance on automation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the nation to the era of artificial intelligence. Between the signing of the National AI Initiative Act in 2020 and the tremendous amount of AI planning among countries around the world, it is time the United States takes the necessary actions to prepare for the implementation of AI into federal agencies.The United States government is currently far behind the private sector in AI funding, research and development, and implementation. If reforms are not implemented soon, the public sector will struggle to keep up with the rapid advancement of technology in years to come. Recent political discourse about AI has been slow and advising reports fail to address important factors in the implementation of AI such as logistics surrounding the federal workforce.People must be at the forefront of the federal agenda in order to create and maintain effective AI systems within the government. There must be changes made to contracting and hiring practices, worker incentives, and training programs. Decisions about AI implementation must account for worker diversity, ethics training, and inequality. As our country makes the transition towards the implementation of this powerful technology it is imperative that the federal workforce is prepared for the obstacles ahead and that AI is seen as an opportunity for the government to improve the lives of civilians and the functioning of bureaucracy.