For all of its potential, uncertainty surrounds artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the workplace.
A new bipartisan Senate bill aims to help federal workers get a better handle on AI’s applications, benefits and risks.
Co-sponsored by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), The AI Leadership Training Act would require the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish an AI training program for federal supervisors and management officials, with the goal of improving the federal workforce’s understanding of AI applications, “and ensure that leaders who oversee the use of these tools understand AI’s potential benefits and risks,” according to a statement from Senator Peters’ office.
“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,” said Senator Peters. “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.”
Weighing Risk and Rewards
As Senator Peters acknowledges in the aforementioned statement, the use of AI is widespread across government agencies.
Indeed, recent research finds the majority of organizations already using artificial intelligence for a variety of tasks, such as employee records management, payroll processing and benefits administration, recruitment and hiring, performance management and onboarding new employees. Looking ahead, more than 90% of HR leaders said they expect to increase their use of AI in at least one of these areas in the future.
The AI Leadership Training Act would provide guidance to federal leaders when making decisions regarding AI technology. The bill would also “ensure the risks and rewards are properly weighed to best benefit agency missions and American communities,” according to the statement from Senator Peters’ office, which notes that organizations such as the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and the National AI Advisor Committee (NAIAC) have recommended additional AI training for the federal workforce as a way to guarantee that AI tools are used appropriately.
Beyond creating an AI training program for federal government supervisors and management officials, the bill would oblige the OPM director to regularly update the program, with the goal of helping these leaders understand AI’s capabilities, risks and ethical implications, so they can determine whether an AI capability is appropriate for meeting their mission requirements.
“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,” said Senator Braun, in a statement.
“Artificial intelligence has the potential to make the federal government more efficient, but only if government leadership is properly trained to ensure this technology benefits the American people,” Senator Peters added. The AI Leadership Training Act “will ensure supervisors and management officials have the resources to make informed decisions regarding AI technology and its use in the federal government.”
30 May 2023
Category
HR News Article