Trump Administration Launches ‘US Tech Force’ to Overhaul Federal AI Capabilities
The federal government has initiated a sweeping new recruitment drive designed to embed private sector talent directly into federal agencies to modernize legacy infrastructure. Known as the ‘US Tech Force’, this program aims to bridge the widening gap between government technology and the rapid advancements occurring in Silicon Valley. By recruiting waves of engineers and data scientists, the administration seeks to secure American dominance in the high-stakes arena of artificial intelligence.
The ‘Office of Personnel Management’ formally unveiled the initiative through a memo issued by Director Scott Kupor. The directive outlines a strategy to recruit an initial cohort of 1,000 technologists who will serve one-to-two-year terms within various government departments. These “fellows” will be tasked with upgrading antiquated systems and implementing cutting-edge solutions in cybersecurity and data science. The program specifically targets both early-career candidates and experienced engineering managers from the private sector.
Major technology companies including ‘Anduril’, ‘Google’, ‘Microsoft’, ‘OpenAI’, ‘Palantir’, and ‘xAI’ have reportedly signed on to participate or support the talent pipeline. The administration indicated that these corporate partners may facilitate leaves of absence for their employees to join the government temporarily. This collaboration is intended to compress the timelines typically associated with federal hiring and project deployment. Recruits are expected to earn salaries ranging between $150,000 and $200,000, significantly higher than typical federal pay scales for similar roles.
This announcement follows a period of significant restructuring within the federal workforce, which saw the dissolution of several existing technology units such as the ‘General Services Administration’s 18F’ team. Critics and observers have noted that this new force appears to replace those dismantled groups with a model more closely aligned with private industry standards. Officials have stated that the ‘US Tech Force’ will remain distinct from other initiatives, such as the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’, and will focus strictly on technical modernization rather than political objectives.
Director Kupor emphasized that the federal government currently faces “critical skills gaps” that threaten national security and economic competitiveness. “Too often, agencies lack the technology expertise and leadership required to upgrade and modernize technology systems,” Kupor wrote in the foundational memo. He argued that rapidly closing these gaps is essential for the nation to effectively lead in the global AI race. The program is expected to deploy its first wave of technologists to agencies as early as March.
The initiative also aligns with a recent executive order limiting state-level regulations on artificial intelligence, further centralizing control over tech policy. By consolidating talent and reducing regulatory fragmentation, the administration aims to accelerate the construction of massive data centers and AI infrastructure. This “surge” in technical capability is positioned as a direct response to growing competition from international rivals in the technology sector. The success of the ‘US Tech Force’ will likely depend on its ability to integrate these private-sector experts into the often bureaucratic machinery of the federal government.
