Department of State Authorization Act, Sec. 304 ("DOS Chief AI Officer")

Summary

Establishes within the Department of State a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), potentially dual-hatted as the Department’s Chief Data Officer, and a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Requires the CAIO to evaluate, oversee, and facilitate the responsible adoption of AI and machine learning to inform decisions and support programs and operations.

Designates the CAIO as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State on the ethical use of AI and advanced analytics in diplomacy.

Mandates the CAIO to possess skills in data analytics, AI, machine learning, and organizational change management.

Requires the Chief Information Officer to consult with the CAIO on scaling AI capabilities across software applications.

Defines “artificial intelligence” as per section 238(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

Establishes a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer within the Department of State.

SEC. 304. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHIEF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

Section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(n) Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be within the Department of State a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, which may be dual-hatted as the Department’s Chief Data Officer, who shall be a member of the Senior Executive Service.

Mandates the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to oversee and promote the responsible use of AI and machine learning in the State Department, advise the Secretary on ethical AI use in diplomacy, and coordinate with the Chief Information Officer to scale AI capabilities across the Department.

“(2) DUTIES DESCRIBED.—The principal duties and responsibilities of the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer shall be—

“(A) to evaluate, oversee, and, if appropriate, facilitate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications to help inform decisions by policymakers and to support programs and management operations of the Department of State; and

“(B) to act as the principal advisor to the Secretary of State on the ethical use of AI and advanced analytics in conducting data-informed diplomacy.

“(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer should be an individual with demonstrated skill and competency in—

“(A) the use and application of data analytics, AI, and machine learning; and

“(B) transformational leadership and organizational change management, particularly within large, complex organizations.

“(4) PARTNER WITH THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER ON SCALING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE CASES.—To ensure alignment between the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and the Chief Information Officer, the Chief Information Officer will consult with the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer on best practices for rolling out and scaling AI capabilities across the Bureau of Information and Resource Management’s broader portfolio of software applications.

Defines artificial intelligence using the definition from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

“(5) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘artificial intelligence’ has the meaning given the term in section 238(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115–232; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note).”.