OPM Vests Federal Agencies With Direct Hire Power to Improve AI Workforce

Federal agencies can now directly hire artificial intelligence professionals using two methods detailed in a memo from the Office of Personnel Management.

Released on Friday, the memo provides direct hire authority where appropriate and allows the use of excepted service appointments to help agencies comply with the Biden administration’s AI goals. However, the authority is only for four positions: AI computer engineers, AI computer scientists, information technology specialists and management and program analysts, FedScoop reported.

The agency issued a similar memo in September to address human resource needs for data science and operations research positions supporting the government’s AI initiative.

The OPM memo comes at a time when the Biden-Harris administration is working to ensure Americans are protected from risks stemming from the emerging technology while taking advantage of the benefits it offers.

In October, the Biden-Harris administration issued an AI executive order, advocating for the rapid hiring of experts at all levels. It also laid down safeguards to ensure trustworthy AI development and deployment.