Preparing the federal workforce: Tech trends for 2024 (and beyond)

While agencies have begun preparing the federal workforce for AI technology, there are several things they still need to do to achieve the EO’s goals and see long-term success. 

“In essence, 2024 will focus on enabling the foundations, ecosystems, and initial coordinating work to set up the longer-term horizon objectives of the order, while demonstrating momentum and continued investment in the administration’s AI priorities,” said Tony Holmes, Pluralsight’s Practice Lead for Solutions Architects, Public Sector.

He identified three short-term actions agencies will need to take to align with the AI EO.

Agencies will need to update their procurement protocols to be more nimble and acquire AI tools faster. As the scarcity and high costs of hiring specialized AI talent become more pronounced, it is crucial for these agencies to shift their focus toward intensifying upskilling and reskilling programs for their existing workforce. 

This strategic emphasis on internal talent cultivation not only offers a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to building AI capabilities but also ensures a resilient workforce equipped to navigate the evolving AI landscape.

The most pressing challenge, though, is the AI skills gap. There’s a shortage of AI/ML experts, and government agencies struggle to compete with private sector organizations. “The AI market is highly competitive, and agencies struggle with hiring and keeping qualified personnel,” explained Tony.

To overcome this hurdle, Tony recommended investing in AI skill development for federal workers and reskilling current employees instead of hiring new talent. Focus on building AI skills across the agency. That includes basic AI foundations and knowledge, as well as hands-on applications for more advanced skills and tools.

It can take years for government employees to be fully trained and mission capable. This is especially true for cybersecurity roles.

AI will change the way people learn, and you can take advantage of this new technology to train the federal workforce and deliver on mission-critical initiatives faster. Generative AI, for example, can create custom training and development programs for government employees based on their roles, skill levels, or upcoming projects. As a result, employees can skip the information they already know and focus on learning new skills or deepening their knowledge.

Download the 2024 Tech Forecast.

“Widespread internal AI expertise will be critical to driving accountability and responsibility in deployment,” said Tony. “Training benchmarking and outcomes should be part of a broader set of success metrics tracked over time. Without an AI-literate workforce, policies on paper may have little practical impact.”

The same is true for other emerging technologies and tech trends. The federal workforce needs relevant upskilling opportunities to comply with new legislation, foster an innovation culture, and achieve their mission.

Ready to start upskilling your government employees? Learn how Pluralsight helps government agencies build tech skills, get hands-on applications, and deliver mission-critical outcomes faster.