HomeLegal DirectoryAI in Government Act (2020)

In effect Limited protection

AI in Government Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104)

United States · Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104 (Dec. 27, 2020); 40 U.S.C. §11301 note

Enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (Dec. 27, 2020), the AI in Government Act of 2020 created the GSA AI Center of Excellence, directed OMB to issue federal AI use guidance, and required OPM to establish federal AI workforce occupational series. One of three enacted pre-2024 federal AI statutes — foundational federal procurement and workforce architecture.

Technical detail

AI in Government Act of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104, 134 Stat. 2286 (Dec. 27, 2020), codified at 40 U.S.C. §11301 note — (1) established the AI Center of Excellence within GSA's Technology Transformation Services to advise agencies on AI procurement and adoption, (2) directed OMB to issue federal AI use guidance addressing risk, civil rights, and transparency, (3) directed OPM to identify AI competencies, create or update an AI occupational series, estimate AI workforce needs, and produce 2- and 5-year forecasts.

Who is protected: Federal workforce + public via downstream AI procurement standards

Who must comply: Federal agencies via OMB/OPM/GSA

Key facts

JurisdictionUnited States
LevelFederal
StatusIn effect
Protection strengthLimited protection
Effective date2020-12-27
Enacted2020-12-27
CitationPub. L. No. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104 (Dec. 27, 2020); 40 U.S.C. §11301 note
Enforced byOffice of Management and Budget / Office of Personnel Management / GSA
Private right of actionNo — agency enforcement only
Topicsgovernment use of AI · AI disclosure and transparency
Last verified2026-06-17
Official sourcePub. L. 116-260 (Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, incl. AI in Government Act, PDF) ↗

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