AI training program for federal workforce leadership proposed in Senate

A day ahead of testimony by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman before Congress on the concerns and possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI), U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced legislation to create an AI-based training program for federal managers.

While Altman would go on to call for proactive government regulation and opine on the seriousness of AI’s upcoming role in the world this week, the AI Leadership Training Act called for a new program to help improve the federal workforce’s understanding of AI applications, and guarantee leadership understands AI’s potential benefits and risks.

“As the federal government continues to invest in and use artificial intelligence tools, decision-makers in the federal government must have the appropriate training to ensure this technology is used responsibly and ethically,” Peters, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “With AI training, federal agency leaders will have the expertise needed to ensure this technology benefits the American people and to mitigate potential harms such as bias or discrimination.”

The move was backed by organizations like the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC), which have previously recommended more AI training for federal workers. Otherwise, proponents argue, the risks and rewards of the technology may not be properly weighed, and that could cost agencies and America at large.

“In the past couple of years, we have seen unprecedented development and adoption of AI across industries. We must ensure that government leaders are trained to keep up with the advancements in AI and recognize the benefits and risks of this tool,” Braun said.

Specifically, this legislation would require the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create and routinely update an AI training program for federal supervisors and management officials as a means to help them understand the capabilities, risks and ethical implications associated with AI. From there, they could theoretically use this to determine if AI is appropriate to meet their mission requirements.