Shaping the Future: How AI Competency Models are Transforming Workforce Capabilities

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a futuristic concept into an integral part of our daily work lives. Recent advancements in AI point toward a future where AI not only enhances human work capabilities but also helps with employee engagement and retention. In light of these advancements, the United States government is implementing strategies to develop, deploy, and use AI in a safe, secure, and trustworthy manner as highlighted by President Biden’s Executive Order issued on October 30, 2023.  

Kaptivate is supporting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Competency Modeling Program to ensure the agency aligns to the Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence. We are working with data scientists, other subject-matter experts, and an agency AI Community of Practice to develop an Artificial Intelligence Competency Model that addresses this critical national security need. This model outlines the essential competencies and skills needed for staff success and aligns with the NRC’s Strategic Plan, supporting the agency in multiple ways. An important part of this initiative is to ensure alignment with other United States AI models, such as the one developed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to AI Competency Modeling across federal agencies.

One striking insight is the need for all Kaptivate staff to develop some level of competency related to AI. For the majority of roles, AI will be used to increase efficiency and enable staff  to be more effective. A small number of AI roles will need to develop competencies to meaningfully evaluate AI models to ensure they are accurate, trustworthy, secure, and ethical. This nuance means federal agencies and all organizations looking to increase AI competencies among their staff, will need to offer a range of training for current staff and hire along a continuum of AI-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.  

Other key takeaways from our experience at the NRC:

• Innovation and Ethics: Striking a balance between innovation, ethical considerations, and public accountability is crucial.
• Continuous Evolution: Federal agencies will need to regularly update AI-related competency models to keep pace with technological advancements.
• Holistic Approach: Federal agencies should enhance other competency models with AI related competencies to enable the workforce to take advantage of AI. 

Kaptivate is excited to bring our workforce transformation expertise to advance the NRC’s journey toward safely and securely delivering on the exciting possibilities AI offers. Let us know how we can help YOUR organization. Contact info@kaptivategroup.com today!

*Image was created using DALL-E, an AI image generation model developed by OpenAI.