AI in Government Act (2020)
AI in Government Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104)
United States · Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104 (Dec. 27, 2020); 40 U.S.C. §11301 note
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- December 27, 2020
- Applies to
- Federal agencies via OMB/OPM/GSA
- Enforced by
- Office of Management and Budget / Office of Personnel Management / GSA
Enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (Dec. 27, 2020), the AI in Government Act of 2020 created the GSA AI Center of Excellence, directed OMB to issue federal AI use guidance, and required OPM to establish federal AI workforce occupational series. One of three enacted pre-2024 federal AI statutes — foundational federal procurement and workforce architecture.
Who is protected: Federal workforce + public via downstream AI procurement standards
Legal detail
AI in Government Act of 2020, Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104, 134 Stat. 2286 (Dec. 27, 2020), codified at 40 U.S.C. §11301 note — (1) established the AI Center of Excellence within GSA's Technology Transformation Services to advise agencies on AI procurement and adoption, (2) directed OMB to issue federal AI use guidance addressing risk, civil rights, and transparency, (3) directed OPM to identify AI competencies, create or update an AI occupational series, estimate AI workforce needs, and produce 2- and 5-year forecasts.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | December 27, 2020 |
| Citation | Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. U, Title I, §104 (Dec. 27, 2020); 40 U.S.C. §11301 note |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Topics | government use of AI · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Statute | Pub. L. 116-260 (Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, incl. AI in Government Act, PDF) |
More AI rules in United States
- Trump AI Innovation & Security EO (June 2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform tariffs on… · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- NAIC AI Evaluation Tool Pilot (12 states, 2026) · Proposed / pending
- FTC Proposed Policy Statement — AI Accuracy (July 2026) · Proposed / pending
Related government use of AI rules elsewhere
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- Inver Grove Heights MN data center moratorium amended under lawsuit (2026) · In effect
- San Marcos citywide data center ban (Land Use Matrix amendment) · In effect
- Washington County (MD) 12-month data center moratorium · In effect
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.