Essential AI Skills for Government Jobs & How to Develop Them
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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the way we live and work. It has also revolutionized how governments operate—enhancing national security measures, optimizing public services, and more.
As local and federal government organizations continue to adopt AI technologies, demand will increase for professionals with the necessary skills. Below, we will examine six AI skills essential for government jobs and how you can develop them, whether you’re a tenured government employee or hoping to land a government job.
Skill 1: Data Literacy
Many government agencies process vast amounts of data—census reports, economic information, health statistics, climate reports, and more. Decision-makers, in turn, use insights derived from this data to make important decisions.
If data is the foundation of this decision-making, data literacy, in turn, is the foundation of AI use. Data literacy is the ability to work with information—to read it, understand it, determine where it came from, and communicate it within its context. According to the National Library of Medicine, data literacy includes data management, data cleaning, data analysis, visualization, and the ability to recognize when data is used misleadingly.
Training in statistics and in using visual aids (such as charts, graphs, and infographics) will help you build your data literacy skills. Hands-on experience with SQL, Python, R, or other data analysis tools is also valuable.
Skill 2: Programming
Computer and web programming skills are needed to implement and deploy AI solutions internally and on external websites. For example, AI chatbots may be integrated into online Help features.
Programming language proficiency and previous programming experience can prepare you for these tasks. Python is a simple and versatile programming language often used for AI development. Other useful languages include JavaScript, Java, and C++.
Online courses and coding boot camps are readily available to help you learn basic programming skills. You can also gain experience by coding personal projects or taking on programming gigs.
Skill 3: Communication
While communication may not seem like an AI-specific skill, it is vital when working with this technology. When we discussed data literacy above, we mentioned the need to communicate about data effectively. In addition to communicating insights derived from data analysis, you may be called upon to share information with policymakers, other stakeholders, and the general public.
For example, citizens might be concerned about the use of AI in your department. You may need to articulate the benefits and risks of this technology through press releases, web postings, social media, news interviews, or public addresses. To build your communication skills, take every opportunity to write a report or engage in public speaking.
Let’s not ignore the need to communicate effectively with your AI tools. Many programs respond to written prompts, which must be clear, concise, and descriptive. Practice wording prompts in different ways and observing the results. When your prompts do not return the desired results, think about how you could adjust them for future efficiency.
If data is the foundation of this decision-making, data literacy, in turn, is the foundation of AI use.
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Skill 4: Machine Learning
Machine learning (ML) uses data sets to train the algorithms computers use to perform tasks. In the government sphere, machine learning may be used in image recognition, fraud detection, or predictive analytics.
To build your machine learning skills, focus on the building blocks. Understand the algorithms. Work on practice projects that involve model training. Practice evaluating the results.
Skill 5: AI Ethics
Because of the amount of personal data processed by government offices, ethical considerations are crucial. To build your skills, familiarize yourself with data privacy regulations and make sure your actions comply with them. Continue to educate yourself regarding legislative, technological, and ethical dilemmas concerning AI.
For example, AI is increasingly used in the recruitment of government employees. AI is acclaimed for mitigating human hiring biases, but audits are necessary to ensure that AI candidate matching, hiring, and onboarding do not begin to reflect biases. The same considerations can be considered when analyzing other AI uses.
Skill 6: Domain Knowledge
Domain knowledge refers to the skills and expertise specific to your field or industry. Why is domain knowledge important when considering AI skills for government jobs?
AI is a powerful tool for analyzing data and automating tasks, but understanding the data model’s output or the intricacies of the tasks themselves is essential to using them in the real world.
For example, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) use data to keep track of health risks and trends—for example, outbreaks of food poisoning or the average life expectancy of citizens. When working in this field, a background and skills in medicine and healthcare are useful if not essential.
The same is true with other governmental fields—domain knowledge in agriculture, military strategy, law, engineering, or other skills may be vital.
You can increase your domain knowledge by remaining up-to-date in your field. You can also look for opportunities to learn about other fields or departments you may work with.
Key Takeaways
In the coming years, the demand for AI skills in government positions is likely to grow. You can stay ahead of the curve by increasing your knowledge of your field, AI data technologies, programming, and ML. Then, practice communicating your insights effectively.
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