FY2021 NDAA, Division A, Title XVII, Section 1751 ("Guidance and direction on use of direct hiring processes for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel")

Enacted 2021-01-01 | Official source

Summary

Instructs the Secretary of Defense to review existing guidance and create new guidance on the direct hiring processes for AI professionals and to submit a report on the guidance issued; lists the minimum requirements for the guidance.

Key facts

🏛️ This document has been enacted by the United States Congress. For authoritative text and metadata, visit the official source.

🎯 This document primarily applies to the government, rather than the private sector.

📜 This document's name is William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, Division A, Title XVII, Section 1751 ("Guidance and direction on use of direct hiring processes for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel"). AGORA also tracks this document under the name FY2021 NDAA, Division A, Title XVII, Section 1751 ("Guidance and direction on use of direct hiring processes for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel"). It is part of FY2021 NDAA.

↳ This document is part of a longer one: FY2021 NDAA. Some AGORA documents are "split off" from longer documents that mix AI and non-AI content, such as omnibus authorization or appropriations laws in the United States Congress. Read more >>

Themes AI risks, applications, governance strategies, and other themes addressed in AGORA documents.

Governance strategies (2)

AI application areas (1)

Government: military and public safety

Full text

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SEC. 1751. GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION ON USE OF DIRECT HIRING PROCESSES FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER DATA SCIENCE AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PERSONNEL. (a) GUIDANCE REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall review applicable Department of Defense guidance and where beneficial issue new guidance to the secretaries of the military departments and the heads of the defense components on improved use of the direct hiring processes for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel. (b) OBJECTIVE.—The objective of the guidance issued under subsection (a) shall be to ensure that organizational leaders assume greater responsibility for the results of civilian hiring of artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel.

(c) CONTENTS OF GUIDANCE.—At a minimum, the guidance required by subsection (a) shall— (1) instruct human resources professionals and hiring authorities to utilize available direct hiring authorities (including excepted service authorities) for the hiring of artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel, to the maximum extent practicable; (2) instruct hiring authorities, when using direct hiring authorities, to prioritize utilization of panels of subject matter experts over human resources professionals to assess applicant qualifications and determine which applicants are best qualified for a position; (3) authorize and encourage the use of ePortfolio reviews to provide insight into the previous work of applicants as a tangible demonstration of capabilities and contribute to the assessment of applicant qualifications by subject matter experts; and (4) encourage the use of referral bonuses for recruitment and hiring of highly qualified artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel in accordance with volume 451 of Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25.

(d) REPORT.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date on which the guidance is issued under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the guidance issued pursuant to subsection (a). (2) CONTENTS.—At a minimum, the report submitted under paragraph (1) shall address the following: (A) The objectives of the guidance and the manner in which the guidance seeks to achieve those objectives. (B) The effect of the guidance on the hiring process for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel, including the effect on— (i) hiring time; (ii) the use of direct hiring authority; (iii) the use of subject matter experts; and (iv) the quality of new hires, as assessed by hiring managers and organizational leaders.