[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8144-H8145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
   ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR THE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE ACT

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and pass the bill (S. 2551), to require the Director of the 
Office of Management and Budget to establish or otherwise provide an 
artificial intelligence training program for the acquisition workforce, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 2551

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Artificial Intelligence 
     Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act'' or the ``AI 
     Training Act''.

     SEC. 2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING PROGRAMS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) AI.--The term ``AI'' has the meaning given the term 
     ``artificial intelligence'' in section 238(g) of the John S. 
     McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
     2019 (10 U.S.C. 2358 note).
       (2) AI training program.--The term ``AI training program'' 
     means the training program established under subsection 
     (b)(1).
       (3) Covered workforce.--The term ``covered workforce'' 
     means--
       (A) employees of an executive agency who are responsible 
     for--
       (i) program management;
       (ii) the planning, research, development, engineering, 
     testing, and evaluation of systems, including quality control 
     and assurance;
       (iii) procurement and contracting;
       (iv) logistics; or
       (v) cost estimating; and
       (B) other personnel of an executive agency designated by 
     the head of the executive agency to participate in the AI 
     training program.
       (4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget.
       (5) Executive agency.--The term ``executive agency''--
       (A) has the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 
     41, United States Code; and
       (B) does not include--
       (i) the Department of Defense or a component of the 
     Department of Defense; or
       (ii) the National Nuclear Security Administration or a 
     component of the National Nuclear Security Administration.
       (b) Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than annually 
     thereafter, the Director, in coordination with the 
     Administrator of General Services and any other person 
     determined relevant by the Director, shall develop and 
     implement or otherwise provide an AI training program for the 
     covered workforce.
       (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the AI training program shall 
     be to ensure that the covered workforce has knowledge of the 
     capabilities and risks associated with AI.
       (3) Topics.--The AI training program shall include 
     information relating to--
       (A) the science underlying AI, including how AI works;
       (B) introductory concepts relating to the technological 
     features of artificial intelligence systems;
       (C) the ways in which AI can benefit the Federal 
     Government;
       (D) the risks posed by AI, including discrimination and 
     risks to privacy;
       (E) ways to mitigate the risks described in subparagraph 
     (D), including efforts to create and identify AI that is 
     reliable, safe, and trustworthy; and
       (F) future trends in AI, including trends for homeland and 
     national security and innovation.
       (4) Updates.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years, 
     the Director shall update the AI training program to--
       (A) incorporate new information relating to AI; and
       (B) ensure that the AI training program continues to 
     satisfy the requirements under paragraph (3).
       (5) Format.--The Director is encouraged to develop and 
     implement or otherwise include under the AI training program 
     interactive learning with--
       (A) technologists;
       (B) scholars; and
       (C) other experts from the private, public, and nonprofit 
     sectors.
       (6) Metrics.--The Director shall ensure the existence of a 
     means by which to--
       (A) understand and measure the participation of the covered 
     workforce; and
       (B) receive and consider feedback from participants in the 
     AI training program to improve the AI training program.
       (7) Sunset.--Effective 10 years after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, this section shall have no force or effect.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. 
Comer) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2551, the Artificial 
Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act, sponsored by 
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman 
Peters and Ranking Member Portman. I am proud to have introduced the 
House companion to this bill with Ranking Member Comer.
  The AI Training Act would require the Office of Management and 
Budget, in coordination with the General Services Administration, to 
develop and implement an AI training program for Federal workers whose 
jobs involve this technology, including acquisition and program 
management employees.
  The program would educate employees on the science underlying AI, 
introductory concepts, potential benefits of the technology, and future 
trends. Importantly, the program would also cover the risks posed by 
AI, including discrimination and risks to privacy, and would teach 
Federal workers how to mitigate these risks.
  To ensure that the AI technology procured and employed by the U.S. 
Government is reliable, safe, and trustworthy, it is critical that 
Federal workers involved in procurement and management of this 
technology are well-trained.
  AI tools have become essential in the global race to solve societal 
challenges, protect national security, and remain economically 
competitive. At the same time, the algorithms that drive AI systems 
present new challenges to oversight and accountability efforts. So we 
need proactive approaches to ensure transparency and governance that 
preserves privacy and civil liberties and protects the public interest.
  The training program would be updated at least every 2 years, 
ensuring it keeps up with the rapid evolution of this field.
  I thank Ranking Member Comer for joining me in advancing this 
legislation to require specialized Federal workforce training in AI 
that will help ensure the responsible acquisition and use of this 
technology that will have long-term benefits to the Government.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2551, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  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.

[[Page H8145]]

  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.
  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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 2551.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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