In February 2025, on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) National Coordination Office (NCO) issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from all interested parties on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan. The OSTP and NCO currently do not have their own dedicated website.

The OSTP advises the President on science and technology policies, while the NITRD program coordinates federal investments in advanced information technology research. The NCO serves as the coordination office for NITRD, facilitating collaboration across agencies.

A Request for Information (RFI) is a formal government solicitation seeking public input on specific topics to help shape future policies or initiatives. In this case, the RFI invites feedback to guide the AI Action Plan, which was mandated by a Presidential Executive Order on January 23, 2025. The Plan will define priority policy actions to maintain and strengthen America’s leadership in AI while ensuring that unnecessary regulatory burdens do not stifle private sector innovation.

To develop a well-informed strategy, OSTP and NITRD NCO are collecting input from academia, industry groups, private sector organizations, state, local, and tribal governments, and the general public. As AI continues to shape industries, influence policymaking, and impact society in profound ways, this initiative is essential for fostering responsible AI development while promoting innovation and protecting public interests.

Their webpage on the Federal Register states that interested parties are encouraged to submit comments by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on March 15, 2025.

Below is the AI Action Plan we submitted via email to the OSTP:

In February 2025 the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the NITRD NCO requested input from all interested parties on the Development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan (“Plan”).

Here is our AI Action Plan we emailed the OSTP:

Response to Request for Information on the Development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan

Submitted by: Department of Technology at http://www.department.technology
Date: Saturday, February 15th, 2025

Statement of Public Dissemination:
This document is approved for public dissemination. The document contains no business-proprietary or confidential information. Document contents may be reused by the government in developing the AI Action Plan and associated documents without attribution.

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Establishing a Department of Technology for AI Governance

To effectively navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI), the U.S. must establish a Department of Technology led by elected technology officials. This structure ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national priorities, fostering AI innovation while safeguarding ethical standards. Given AI’s growing role in critical infrastructure, economic competitiveness, and national security, a dedicated governance body is necessary to guide policy and investment effectively.

1. AI Hardware and Infrastructure

Policy Action:

• Establish federal funding programs to support AI hardware development, including domestic semiconductor manufacturing and high-performance computing systems, with an initial investment of $5 billion .
• Develop public-private partnerships to build and maintain energy-efficient AI data centers, integrating small modular reactors (SMRs) for sustainable power, with a 60-40 government-industry investment split.
• Create a national AI infrastructure roadmap to ensure widespread access to computing resources for researchers, startups, and government agencies, with oversight by the newly created Department of Technology.

2. AI Model Development and Open-Source AI

Policy Action:

• Promote open-source AI initiatives with government-backed funding and regulatory frameworks to prevent monopolization of AI technologies, ensuring accessibility across industries.
• Develop federal standards for AI model transparency and ethical use, aligning with NIST guidelines to enhance fairness, security, and accountability.
• Mandate AI model validation processes to verify performance, safety, and risk mitigation before deployment in critical sectors, with certification overseen by an independent regulatory body.

3. Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and AI Safety

Policy Action:

• Implement mandatory AI security risk assessments for all federally deployed AI systems, overseeing, correcting, and modifying recommendations from CISA and NIST.
• Strengthen data privacy laws by amending the Federal Data Protection Act to explicitly regulate AI-driven data collection and usage .
• Establish a National AI Safety Board to investigate and mitigate AI-related security threats and breaches, modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board.

4. National Security and Defense Applications of AI

Policy Action:

• Require democratic oversight of AI defense applications through regular congressional briefings and independent audits, ensuring adherence to ethical military AI standards.
• Develop international AI defense cooperation agreements with allied nations to align security protocols and prevent or mitigate an AI arms race .
• Ensure AI autonomy limits in warfare, mandating human oversight in all military AI decision-making processes, as outlined in the U.S. Department of Defense’s AI Ethical Principles.

5. Regulation, Governance, and Technical Standards

Policy Action:

• Establish a Technology Ethics and Standards Office within the proposed Department of Technology to oversee AI regulations and compliance, coordinating with agencies such as the FTC and DOJ.
• Mandate transparent reporting requirements for companies developing AI systems with national security or critical infrastructure implications, ensuring accountability through public disclosures.
• Create adaptive regulatory frameworks that evolve alongside AI advancements, incorporating annual review mechanisms to prevent bureaucratic stagnation.

6. Research, Education, Workforce Development, and Innovation

Policy Action:

• Fund AI-focused STEM education programs at all academic levels to build a robust AI-skilled workforce, with $2 billion allocated to K-12 and university-level AI education initiatives.
• Establish AI innovation hubs in collaboration with universities and industry leaders to accelerate research and commercialization, modeled after DARPA’s AI investments .
• Implement AI retraining programs for workers displaced by automation, offering incentives for businesses that support workforce transitions through AI upskilling initiatives.

Summary

A Department of Technology led by elected officials will provide a structured and accountable governance model for AI development in the U.S. This proposal aligns with the goals outlined in the AI Action Plan RFI by ensuring transparency, security, and innovation in AI governance. Through these policy actions, the U.S. can maintain its leadership in AI while safeguarding national interests and public trust. A balanced approach between regulation and innovation will empower the private sector while ensuring AI’s ethical and safe development.

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For further inquiries or collaboration, please contact: technology@department.email