As the Biden Administration initiates efforts to promote the recruitment of more artificial intelligence professionals, a House subcommittee convened a hearing to address the challenges faced by the government in enhancing the AI workforce.
The focus of much of the hearing was on exploring alternative pathways for hiring beyond the traditional four-year college education to bridge the skills gap and identify qualified candidates. Witnesses expressed concerns that the government’s progress towards a skills-based workforce management system is sluggish, potentially leading to the loss of qualified AI talent if reforms are not implemented promptly.
During the hearing, IBM client partner Timi Hadra highlighted the issue of upskilled and certified AI-trained individuals being deemed unqualified for federal positions due to the lack of a four-year college degree. Hadra cited examples from IBM’s cybersecurity apprenticeship program where graduates with requisite skills are unable to secure federal employment opportunities because they do not meet the standard educational qualifications.
Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), the chair of the House Oversight Committee’s Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation subcommittee, criticized the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for its delay in executing the mandates outlined in the 2020 AI in Government Act. She emphasized the importance of addressing AI talent shortages within the Federal workforce and creating specialized job series for AI professionals, tasks that OPM has yet to fulfill.
Furthermore, Rep. Mace underscored the significant shortfall of 700,000 cybersecurity workers in both the public and private sectors, noting that innovative educational programs such as short-term ‘boot camps’ play a crucial role in filling these gaps by offering non-degree credentials like certifications and badges.
The discussion at the hearing also delved into potential solutions, with George Washington University’s Cyber Security and Privacy Research Institute Director Costis Toregas pointing out challenges such as the absence of standardized AI skills terminologies and inadequate faculty for AI courses. Toregas stressed the need for educational institutions to swiftly adapt their curricula to incorporate AI-focused programs to meet the demands of the evolving workforce landscape.
Moreover, Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Professor William Scherlis emphasized the importance of non-degree programs in expanding access to AI education and developing specialized skills critical for success in the field. He highlighted the necessity of unique expertise to navigate the complexities of AI effectively.
The hearing highlighted the significance of collaboration between public sector entities, academia, and private sector organizations in addressing the AI talent shortage. Toregas suggested emulating the National Science Foundation’s model of collaboration among colleges and universities to develop standardized curricula for cybersecurity in the AI domain.
In response to the hearing, the OPM announced the implementation of direct hire authority for specific AI-related positions. However, the OPM faced scrutiny following a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which revealed shortcomings in fully executing the provisions of the 2020 AI in Government Act, particularly in updating requirements for the AI occupational series. An OPM spokesperson defended the decision not to create a singular AI occupational series, citing the diverse needs and missions of individual agencies.
