President Donald Trump announced the establishment of the US Tech Force, a new initiative aimed at modernizing the federal government by recruiting workers from leading technology companies, including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft. The program plans to hire around 1,000 technology specialists for a temporary period of up to two years across various federal agencies. These workers will have the option to pursue employment with the participating tech companies or apply for ongoing government positions after their tenure.
The Tech Force’s objectives include accelerating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance government efficiency and responsibility. Additionally, the program aims to develop applications and modernize data systems. Alongside major tech firms, the initiative will also welcome early career candidates for these positions, engaging companies such as Adobe, OpenAI, and Uber in the process.
This effort appears to function as a contemporary iteration of the US Digital Service (USDS), which was established by former President Barack Obama in 2014 to assist federal agencies in improving digital services but was later dismantled by the Trump administration. The USDS was incorporated into the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, which underwent significant personnel reductions shortly after its establishment.
The administration has focused on scaling back parts of the federal government, including tech talent, leading to the dismissal of numerous employees and impacting the morale of those who remained. In light of this, the new initiative marks a shift in strategy as the administration seeks expertise from tech giants to improve governmental technology. In a related context, the US Army recently engaged executives from leading technology firms to drive tech transformation within its ranks.
Moreover, AI has been a significant focus for the Trump administration, with recent executive orders promoting federal engagement in state-level AI regulations.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/844804/trump-tech-force-usds-apple-google-microsoft