President Biden has taken a significant step towards advancing the safe and responsible development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by signing an executive order titled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. This landmark decision highlights the United States’ commitment to harnessing the full potential of AI while ensuring safety and responsibility.
The executive order focuses on the President’s dedication to governing the development and use of AI in a coordinated manner across the Federal government. Recognizing the urgent need for leadership in the rapidly advancing field of AI, the administration prioritizes establishing a Federal Government-wide approach to AI development.
In order to support this approach, Section 10, subsection 10.2 of the executive order emphasizes the critical need for AI talent within the government. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has been assigned the task of conducting a review to assess the need for hiring and workplace flexibility in the field of AI. This review includes the potential grant of Federal Governmentwide direct-hire authority for AI and related data-science and technical roles.
In line with the objectives of the executive order, OPM has taken decisive action by authorizing government-wide direct-hire authority for specific occupations crucial to AI development. This authority applies to positions such as IT Specialist, Computer Scientist, Computer Engineer, and Program Analyst, with a focus on AI. The goal is to address critical hiring needs and enhance AI capabilities across Federal agencies. This direct-hire authority is effective immediately and will last until December 31, 2028, or until OPM decides to terminate it.
OPM is committed to continuously exploring occupational series related to AI work requirements, providing a flexible framework to meet the evolving hiring needs of Federal agencies.
In addition to the direct-hire authority, OPM has also authorized the use of excepted service Schedule A appointments to address temporary staffing needs in support of implementing the executive order. However, this authorization does not cover the hiring of technical AI positions. Agencies may use this authority for temporary appointments, up to 1 year and extendable for an additional year as needed, but not beyond December 31, 2028.
Federal agencies utilizing these authorities are urged to comply with veterans’ preference and other relevant procedures. It is crucial to ensure the appropriate citation of authority codes on the SF-50 form and to conduct recruitment activities, even though public notice is not required in the excepted service. It should be noted that temporary employees hired under this authority are not eligible for certain benefits.
To ensure transparency and oversight, Federal agencies are required to submit quarterly reports detailing hires made under the direct-hire authority. These reports should provide information on job announcements, qualified applicants, selections, and hires, specifying grade and step/pay levels. Agencies must use the authority code AYM on the SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action form to document appointments.
President Biden’s executive order and the subsequent actions taken by OPM reflect the commitment to advancing the safe and responsible development of AI in the United States. By prioritizing talent acquisition and established hiring authorities, the administration aims to propel AI capabilities across Federal agencies while ensuring transparency and accountability.
