The Trump administration has announced the launch of a new initiative called “Tech Force,” aimed at speeding up the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the government. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed this development on Monday.
OPM stated that the Tech Force will look to attract talented engineers, data scientists, and other tech specialists from major companies to contribute to AI projects across federal agencies. The goal is to modernize government systems, enhance services, and draw in promising new talent by embedding AI experts directly into these agencies.
“This is a clear call to action,” remarked OPM Director Scott Cooper. “If you’re interested in helping our country excel in the AI era, we need your skills.”
According to Kupol, “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers chances to lead significant national projects while providing robust career options in both public service and the private sector.”
OPM plans to recruit 1,000 early-career individuals with technical skills for this two-year program, aiming to pair them with positions focused on modernization. Participants will receive training from private sector partners, tackle “mission-critical” initiatives, and have the chance to transition into full-time roles in both the government and private sectors afterward.
The initiative has partnered with around 25 leading tech firms, such as Amazon Web Services, Adobe, Dell Technologies, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir, and xAI, with intentions to broaden this collaboration over time.
“This is a call for our nation’s top technologists to join a critical mission that ensures our competitiveness, modernizes government systems, and leads global innovation—from education to health care,” stated Gregory Barbascia, the chief information officer.
This initiative aims not only to tackle the shortage of technical skills but also to refresh the federal talent pool as a wave of retirements is expected in the coming decade.
“Our purpose isn’t to ask people to dedicate themselves to a lifelong career in federal service, but rather to illustrate that there are fulfilling long-term technical opportunities available to work on complex issues,” Kupol noted.
Applications for positions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are open at the TechForce.gov website, with recruitment expected to wrap up by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
This initiative aligns with President Trump’s broader strategy regarding AI, outlined in an action plan released in July. Since then, he has moved to advance this strategy, including a recent meeting concerning federal regulations and AI policy.
However, some state leaders, like Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, have voiced opposition, insisting that “executive orders cannot override actions taken by state legislatures.”
Additionally, the administration has permitted U.S. chip manufacturer Nvidia to export certain advanced AI chips to China, under an agreement where the government will receive a share of the profits. While Nvidia argues that this will help position U.S. AI technology as a global standard, critics contend that it might jeopardize national security in the long run.
