OPM issues memo urging agencies to accelerate hiring using AI tools

In response to a recent wave of federal employee departures, the Office of Personnel Management published a directive encouraging the use of artificial-intelligence technologies to speed up hiring, which currently averages 87 days. The memo instructs agency heads to evaluate AI systems used in recruitment and categorize them as high-impact or presumed high-impact, with the latter covering functions such as generating job descriptions, qualification criteria, interview questions, and resume screening.

For high-impact uses, agencies must adopt minimum risk-management measures or seek a waiver from their chief AI officer. When an AI tool is deemed only presumed high-impact, agencies are required to document safeguards like human review, sampling, audit logs, and performance monitoring. OPM also plans to add AI-enhanced features to USAJOBS, USA Staffing and USA Hire, including better search functions and clearer job titles.