US Federal Agency Profiles

This guide is a starting point for exploring AI policy careers in the executive branch. It reviews key policy areas and agency roles and highlights key considerations to inform your career planning. ---Outline:(01:57) What is AI policy?(03:53) Mapping the federal AI ecosystem(08:03) What agencies work on in AI policy(08:53) Chip export controls as a case study in government coordination(14:13) Navigating AI careers in the executive branch(18:39) Appendix: A brief history of AI policy in the US(30:16) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. The original text contained 7 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: January 30th, 2025 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/executive-branch-ai-policy ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

NSC coordinates the government’s national security enterprise, designs short- and long-term national security strategies, and advises the president on national security matters. ---Outline:(00:56) Overview(02:22) Background on NSC(04:14) Policy councils(05:15) Organizational structure(05:46) Directorates(08:33) Leadership and staff(11:12) Managing the interagency process(13:24) NSC and AI policy(15:13) NSC and biosecurity policy(17:15) Working at NSC(19:25) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. The original text contained 4 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: November 29th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/national-security-council ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

USDA develops and executes federal policies on agriculture, forestry, and rural economic development, aiming to support farmers and ensure a safe food supply. USDA contributes to biosecurity and advances food innovation, including alternative proteins, to enhance food security and sustainability. ---Outline:(00:23) Overview(02:32) Background on USDA(04:07) Organizational structure(05:11) Food biotechnology and innovation at USDA(08:24) Background: food biotech-related White House workstreams(10:46) Biosecurity and pandemic preparedness at USDA(14:16) 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan(14:54) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at USDA(18:35) USDA offices working on biosecurity policy(18:55) Working at USDA(20:14) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. --- Last updated: November 14th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/us-department-of-agriculture ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

The Executive Office of the President (EOP) is a group of offices and councils that support the president in directing the executive branch. ---Outline:(00:11) Overview(03:36) Background(05:12) Main activities(07:28) Organizational structure(08:25) Main EOP offices(09:13) Policy councils(10:35) Leadership and political appointments(11:37) Why (not) work at EOP?(12:06) Advantages(14:38) Disadvantages(18:40) EOP and AI policy(28:21) EOP and bio policy(33:51) EOP components working on emerging technology policy(40:37) Working at EOP(40:40) Staff positions and political appointments(42:50) Internships and fellowships(43:33) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: January 28th, 2025 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/executive-office-of-the-president ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

NEC and DPC advise the president and coordinate policymaking processes for economic and domestic issues. Both have supported the development and implementation of major AI or biosecurity policy initiatives. ---Outline:(00:12) Overview(01:09) Background on NEC and DPC(02:42) Organizational structure(03:12) Council members(04:30) Council staff(06:18) Activities(09:07) The honest brokers(12:38) NEC, DPC, and emerging technology policy(13:20) Recent AI-related developments at NEC and DPC(14:49) Recent bio-related developments at DPC(15:23) Working at NEC and DPC(18:05) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: November 29th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/national-economic-council-and-domestic-policy-council

Commerce promotes US economic growth and competitiveness through diverse roles in data, innovation, and industry support. It plays a key role in AI and biosecurity policy. ---Outline:(00:50) Overview(03:16) Background on Commerce(05:15) Organizational structure(06:21) Commerce and AI policy(07:27) Recent AI-related developments at Commerce(12:46) Commerce offices working on AI policy(13:03) Commerce and biosecurity policy(14:25) 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan(15:09) Recent biosecurity-related developments at Commerce(19:02) Commerce offices working on biosecurity policy(19:20) Working at Commerce(20:25) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: February 18th, 2025 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/department-of-commerce ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

OMB develops the president's annual budget proposal, manages agency processes, reviews agency regulations, and supports presidential actions, including executive orders. ---Outline:(00:44) Overview(02:15) Background on OMB(03:33) Structure(04:07) Leadership and political appointments(05:23) Budget: Resource Management Offices (RMOs)(07:46) Management(08:23) Regulation(09:11) OMB-wide support offices(09:33) Key activities and components(09:58) Budgeting and RMOs(16:00) Regulatory review and OIRA(20:30) Management and procurement(21:42) Legislative clearance(22:20) Executive Order and memoranda clearance(22:55) OMB and AI policy(23:33) Recent AI-related developments at OMB(28:13) OMB components relevant to AI policy(28:23) OMB and biosecurity policy(28:50) Recent biosecurity-related developments at OMB(31:36) OMB components relevant to bio policy(31:47) Working at OMB(31:50) Background and skills(34:58) Jobs and internships(36:28) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. The original text contained 3 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. --- Last updated: November 29th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/office-of-management-and-budget ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

BIS is the lead agency tasked with administering and enforcing export controls on dual-use items and technology. BIS has become increasingly central to the US government’s AI and biosecurity policy efforts. ---Outline:(00:11) Overview(01:50) Background on BIS(03:28) History and activities(06:52) Organizational structure(07:57) BIS and AI policy(09:52) Major AI-related developments at BIS(12:14) BIS offices working on AI policy(12:33) BIS and biosecurity policy(14:31) Major biosecurity-related developments at BIS(16:35) BIS offices working on biosecurity policy(16:54) Working at BIS(18:08) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. --- Last updated: February 3rd, 2025 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/bureau-of-industry-and-security ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

NIH is the primary federal agency for biomedical and public health research and is the largest source of funding for medical research in the world. ---Outline:(00:23) Overview(01:47) Background on NIH(03:21) Organizational structure(04:08) Biosecurity and pandemic preparedness in NIH(06:04) 2022. National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan(06:56) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at NIH(10:18) NIH offices working on biosecurity policy(10:58) Working at NIH(12:06) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. --- Last updated: November 8th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/national-institutes-of-health

CDC’s mission is to protect America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and domestic. It provides public health expertise, conducts research, and plays a central role in biosecurity. ---Outline:(00:25) Overview(01:22) Background on CDC(02:55) Organizational structure(04:21) Biosecurity and pandemic preparedness in CDC(06:13) 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan(06:58) Major recent biosecurity-related developments at CDC(09:48) CDC offices working on biosecurity policy(10:14) Working at CDC(11:40) Further reading --- If you’re interested in pursuing a career in emerging technology policy, complete our Policy Career Interest Form, and we may be able to match you with opportunities suited to your background and interests. --- Last updated: November 27th, 2024 Source: https://emergingtechpolicy.org/institutions/executive-branch/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.