AI in Government Act of 2020

The AI in Government Act of 2020 is a United States federal statute that established the AI Center of Excellence within the General Services Administration (GSA) and required the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance on federal agency use of artificial intelligence. Enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, it was one of the first federal laws specifically addressing AI governance within the federal government.

Overview

• Official Title: AI in Government Act of 2020
• Public Law: Pub. L. 116-260, Division U, Title I
• Bill Number: H.R. 2575 (116th Congress)
• Signed: December 27, 2020
• U.S. Code Citation: 40 U.S.C. § 11301 note

Legislative History

The AI in Government Act was introduced as H.R. 2575 by Reps. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA) during the 116th Congress. After passing the House, it was incorporated into Division U (the Government Technical Amendments and Other Matters Division) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (Public Law 116-260). It was signed into law on December 27, 2020.

Key Provisions

AI Center of Excellence

The Act established an AI Center of Excellence within the General Services Administration (GSA) with the following responsibilities:

• Facilitate the adoption of artificial intelligence in federal agency programs and operations
• Promote the use of AI to improve the delivery of government services
• Coordinate federal AI initiatives and best practices
• Provide expertise and guidance to agencies implementing AI solutions

OMB Guidance on Federal AI Use

The Act required the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to issue guidance to federal agencies on the governance of AI, including:

• Policies for the use of AI by federal agencies
• Standards for the testing, evaluation, and validation of AI systems
• Guidance addressing the protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties in the context of federal AI use

OPM AI Workforce Provisions

The Act required the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to:

• Identify key skills and competencies needed for AI professionals in federal agencies
• Establish a new occupational series for AI positions
• Develop a strategy for recruiting and retaining AI talent in the federal government

Significance

The AI in Government Act was one of the first federal laws to create structural mechanisms for AI governance within the executive branch. By establishing the AI Center of Excellence at GSA, it provided a dedicated institutional home for federal AI expertise. The requirement for OMB guidance laid the groundwork for subsequent OMB memoranda on AI governance, including M-24-10 (Biden-era) and M-25-21 (Trump-era).

The Act also anticipated the workforce dimensions of federal AI adoption, requiring OPM to develop an AI occupational classification and talent acquisition strategy — provisions that remain relevant as the government competes with the private sector for AI talent.

Sources

• Congress.gov — H.R.2575: AI in Government Act of 2020
• Congress.gov — Bill Text
• U.S. Code — 40 U.S.C. § 11301
• OPM — AI Classification Policy and Talent Acquisition Guidance (PDF)

See Also

• National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020
• AI Training Act
• Advancing American AI Act
• OMB Memorandum M-25-21
• Legislation