Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, artificial intelligence, or AI, is a term that applies to a wide variety of technologies. AI plays a role in applications to simplify our everyday lives by performing complex tasks.

Navigation apps, online banking apps, spam filters, and even asking Siri or Alexa who won the Presidents Cup in North Carolina this weekend all employ various types of AI technology. The Federal Government also uses AI to improve government services and efficiency.

While there are multiple executive orders and initiatives promoting the use of AI across the government, to date there has not been a collective effort to train Federal workers who identify, buy, and manage artificial intelligence capabilities.

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, established in the fiscal year 2019 NDAA, has called for the Federal workforce to be better trained on artificial intelligence.

Mr. Speaker, when you consider the technology race against nations like China, the stakes are very high. In fact, the commission noted in its final report that the competition for government adoption of artificial intelligence technologies will not be won by the side with the best technology, it will be won by the side with the best, most diverse, and tech-savvy talent.

The Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act establishes a government-wide training program for Federal workers responsible for AI program management and acquisition. This training will help ensure the consistent and safe procurement and use of AI products across the Federal Government.

Those purchasing and using AI systems in Federal agency missions and programs need to understand the limits of the technology's capabilities and the risks posed by potential misuse. The American taxpayers deserve nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Chairwoman Maloney working with me on the House companion bill for this legislation. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this side, and if the gentleman is prepared to close, then I am also prepared to close.

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Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker I have no further speakers.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, artificial intelligence is proving to be a game-changing technology for nearly every sector of our economy. For instance, artificial intelligence helps farmers efficiently grow crops, scientists develop new materials, and weather forecasters predict hurricanes more accurately.

In the Federal Government, the Social Security Administration uses AI to determine benefit claims. Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act will be invaluable to the Federal approach to artificial intelligence.

Mr. Speaker, I, once again, encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Comer, for his help and assistance on this bill. We worked on it together.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of S. 2551, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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