OPM to Survey Federal AI Talent for Upcoming Competency Model

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced a survey of professionals working on AI at federal departments to finalize the AI Competency Model. So far, OPM has identified 43 general and 14 technical competencies required for work with AI.

The 2020 AI in Government Act mandates OPM to delineate the essential skills and competencies needed for federal employees engaged in AI. This includes establishing new job series or updating existing ones related to artificial intelligence.

“The OPM artificial intelligence job analysis survey represents the next phase of the study and will be used to validate the AI competencies identified by technical and human resources subject matter experts as needed for performing AI work governmentwide. OPM plans to issue the OPM AI Job Analysis Survey today, the results of which will be used to develop an AI competency model,” Veronica Hinton, OPM’s Associate Director for Workforce Policy and Innovation, wrote in a memo last week.

President Joe Biden's executive order from last October establishes initial guidelines for American companies and federal agencies regarding the design, procurement, and deployment of advanced AI systems. Emphasizing security, these guidelines prioritize thorough evaluation before public release.

“My Administration places the highest urgency on governing the development and use of AI safely and responsibly, and is therefore advancing a coordinated, Federal Government-wide approach to doing so.  The rapid speed at which AI capabilities are advancing compels the United States to lead in this moment for the sake of our security, economy, and society,” Biden said in a media update.