[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.
____________________