This guide is a starting point for exploring AI policy careers in the executive branch. It reviews key policy areas and agency roles and highlights key considerations to inform your career planning.

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Outline:

(01:57) What is AI policy?

(03:53) Mapping the federal AI ecosystem

(08:03) What agencies work on in AI policy

(08:53) Chip export controls as a case study in government coordination

(14:13) Navigating AI careers in the executive branch

(18:39) Appendix: A brief history of AI policy in the US

(30:16) Further reading

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If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests.

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NSC coordinates the government’s national security enterprise, designs short- and long-term national security strategies, and advises the president on national security matters.

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Outline:

(00:57) Overview

(02:23) Background on NSC

(04:16) Policy councils

(05:17) Organizational structure

(05:49) Directorates

(08:36) Leadership and staff

(11:18) Managing the interagency process

(13:31) NSC and AI policy

(15:20) NSC and biosecurity policy

(17:22) Working at NSC

(19:33) Further reading

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USDA develops and executes federal policies on agriculture, forestry, and rural economic development, aiming to support farmers and ensure a safe food supply. USDA contributes to biosecurity and advances food innovation, including alternative proteins, to enhance food security and sustainability.

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Outline:

(00:23) Overview

(02:32) Background on USDA

(04:07) Organizational structure

(05:11) Food biotechnology and innovation at USDA

(08:24) Background: food biotech-related White House workstreams

(10:46) Biosecurity and pandemic preparedness at USDA

(14:16) 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan

(14:54) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at USDA

(18:35) USDA offices working on biosecurity policy

(18:55) Working at USDA

(20:14) Further reading

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The Executive Office of the President (EOP) is a group of offices and councils that support the president in directing the executive branch.

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Outline:

(00:11) Overview

(03:36) Background

(05:23) Main activities

(07:40) Organizational structure

(08:44) Main EOP offices

(09:32) Policy councils

(10:54) Leadership and political appointments

(11:55) Why (not) work at EOP?

(12:24) Advantages

(14:56) Disadvantages

(18:59) EOP and AI policy

(26:23) EOP and bio policy

(31:52) EOP components working on emerging technology policy

(38:37) Working at EOP

(38:40) Staff positions and political appointments

(40:50) Internships and fellowships

(41:33) Further reading

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NEC and DPC advise the president and coordinate policymaking processes for economic and domestic issues. Both have supported the development and implementation of major AI or biosecurity policy initiatives.

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Outline:

(00:12) Overview

(01:09) Background on NEC and DPC

(02:42) Organizational structure

(03:12) Council members

(04:30) Council staff

(06:18) Activities

(09:07) The honest brokers

(12:38) NEC, DPC, and emerging technology policy

(13:20) Recent AI-related developments at NEC and DPC

(14:49) Recent bio-related developments at DPC

(15:23) Working at NEC and DPC

(18:05) Further reading

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OMB develops the president's annual budget proposal, manages agency processes, reviews agency regulations, and supports presidential actions, including executive orders.

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Outline:

(00:44) Overview

(02:15) Background on OMB

(03:35) Structure

(04:09) Leadership and political appointments

(05:26) Budget: Resource Management Offices (RMOs)

(07:49) Management

(08:27) Regulation

(09:14) OMB-wide support offices

(09:38) Key activities and components

(10:03) Budgeting and RMOs

(16:06) Regulatory review and OIRA

(20:38) Management and procurement

(21:49) Legislative clearance

(22:27) Executive Order and memoranda clearance

(23:01) OMB and AI policy

(23:40) Recent AI-related developments at OMB

(28:02) OMB components relevant to AI policy

(28:13) OMB and biosecurity policy

(28:39) Recent biosecurity-related developments at OMB

(31:28) OMB components relevant to bio policy

(31:38) Working at OMB

(31:41) Background and skills

(34:51) Jobs and internships

(36:21) Further reading

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Commerce promotes US economic growth and competitiveness through diverse roles in data, innovation, and industry support. It plays a key role in AI and biosecurity policy.

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Outline:

(00:50) Overview

(03:16) Background on Commerce

(05:15) Organizational structure

(06:21) Commerce and AI policy

(07:27) Recent AI-related developments at Commerce

(12:46) Commerce offices working on AI policy

(13:03) Commerce and biosecurity policy

(14:25) 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan

(15:09) Recent biosecurity-related developments at Commerce

(19:02) Commerce offices working on biosecurity policy

(19:20) Working at Commerce

(20:25) Further reading

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NIH is the primary federal agency for biomedical and public health research and is the largest source of funding for medical research in the world.

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Outline:

(00:23) Overview

(01:46) Background on NIH

(03:21) Organizational structure

(04:09) Biosecurity and pandemic preparedness in NIH

(06:04) 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan

(06:57) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at NIH

(10:19) NIH offices working on biosecurity policy

(10:59) Working at NIH

(12:06) Further reading

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BIS is the lead agency tasked with administering and enforcing export controls on dual-use items and technology. BIS has become increasingly central to the US government’s AI and biosecurity policy efforts.

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Outline:

(00:11) Overview

(01:50) Background on BIS

(03:28) History and activities

(06:52) Organizational structure

(07:57) BIS and AI policy

(09:52) Major AI-related developments at BIS

(12:14) BIS offices working on AI policy

(12:33) BIS and biosecurity policy

(14:31) Major biosecurity-related developments at BIS

(16:35) BIS offices working on biosecurity policy

(16:54) Working at BIS

(18:08) Further reading

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OSTP is the president’s chief advisory body on science and technology. It provides strategic guidance for policymaking and R&D spending and coordinates federal science and technology policy initiatives.

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Outline:

(00:12) Overview

(01:44) Background on OSTP

(03:35) EOP science and technology policy advisory structure

(05:02) Organizational structure

(06:51) Activities

(07:46) Coordinating federal R&D spending

(10:01) Advising the president on S&T issues

(11:08) Convening the NSTC for policy coordination

(12:23) Supporting S&T policy formulation and implementation

(13:38) OSTP and AI policy

(14:07) AI-related developments at OSTP

(18:34) AI-relevant offices at OSTP

(20:18) OSTP and biosecurity policy

(20:48) Biosecurity-related developments at OSTP

(25:25) Biosecurity-relevant offices at OSTP

(26:36) Working at OSTP

(29:00) Further reading

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