Growing and Retaining AI Talent for the United States Government

TL;DR

This paper discusses strategies for the U.S. government to grow and retain AI talent by implementing cultural changes, addressing the increasing demand and difficulty in acquiring skilled AI professionals.

Contribution

It proposes a focus on cultural changes within the government to improve AI talent development and retention, offering a new approach to a pressing workforce challenge.

Findings

Cultural changes can enhance AI talent retention.

Growing current talent is a viable solution.

Addressing talent challenges requires strategic cultural shifts.

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have become transformative to a number of industries, and as such many industries need for AI talent is increasing the demand for individuals with these skills. This continues to exacerbate the difficulty of acquiring and retaining talent for the United States Federal Government, both for its direct employees as well as the companies that support it. We take the position that by focusing on growing and retaining current talent through a number of cultural changes, the government can work to remediate this problem today.