Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Staffing Public Service Positions
The United States is emerging from the pandemic, and as the economy recovers, government agencies are facing a significant challenge: a shortage of qualified applicants for key positions, particularly in IT and AI-related roles. This employee shortage is exacerbated by retirement-age employees accelerating their plans to retire, leaving vacancies that are difficult to fill.
Amidst this challenging landscape, government agencies are taking proactive steps to address the IT workforce shortage. They are modernizing their hiring systems, investing heavily in AI-focused talent pipelines, and reskilling programs, and employing digital tools to improve recruitment and retention efficacy within a shifting labor market.
One of the key strategies being implemented is the Federal AI Action Plan and Talent Prioritization. Agencies are expanding AI infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives, which heightens demand for senior technical talent with security clearances to support AI programs. This necessitates evolving talent acquisition to meet these tech-driven priorities.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has also issued a merit hiring plan aimed at streamlining and restoring rigor to civil service hiring processes. This facilitates faster, fairer recruitment of qualified IT professionals across federal departments.
The federal government is also embedding AI literacy and technical training into publicly funded education, apprenticeship, and workforce retraining programs. This includes incentives for employer-driven AI training reimbursements and rapid retraining for workers displaced by AI advancements.
Departments are also using waivers and authorities to consolidate workforce grants, foster industry partnerships, and pilot innovative, data-driven training models that respond rapidly to evolving economic and technological needs.
AI-assisted participant intake and eligibility tools are being explored to streamline applicant workflows, minimize duplication in training programs, and better connect job seekers to multiple opportunities.
With large federal layoffs (over 121,000 workers) expected in 2025, agencies and employers are adapting strategies to absorb talent in impacted roles and retool workforce approaches accordingly.
In summary, the government is tackling the IT workforce challenges post-pandemic by modernizing hiring systems, investing heavily in AI-focused talent pipelines and reskilling programs, and employing digital tools to improve recruitment and retention efficacy within a shifting labor market. Government agencies are encouraged to utilize AI tools to enhance their worker acquisition and retention.
[1] Federal AI Action Plan and Talent Prioritization: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ai/ [2] Merit Hiring Reforms: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/hiring-reform/ [3] Workforce Innovation: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Workforce-Innovation-and-Opportunity-Act-Report-to-Congress.pdf [4] Responding to Talent Shifts from Federal Layoffs: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-21-218
- Government agencies are investing heavily in AI-focused talent pipelines, recognizing the need for senior technical talent with artificial-intelligence expertise to support AI programs, as part of the Federal AI Action Plan and Talent Prioritization.
- The federal government is embedding AI literacy and technical training into publicly funded education, apprenticeship, and workforce retraining programs, providing incentives for employer-driven AI training reimbursements and rapid retraining for workers displaced by artificial-intelligence advancements.
