Department of Defense Artificial Intelligence Metrics Act of 2021
Bill: S.2904 | Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike (R-SD)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Department of Defense Artificial Intelligence Metrics Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to review the potential applications of artificial intelligence and digital technology to DOD platforms, processes, and operations. The bill also requires DOD to establish performance objectives and accompanying metrics for the incorporation of artificial intelligence and digital readiness into such platforms, processes, and operations.

To require the Secretary of Defense to establish performance objectives 
     and accompanying metrics for the incorporation of artificial 
     intelligence and digital readiness into Department of Defense 
     platforms, processes, and operations, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Defense Artificial 
Intelligence Metrics Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE METRICS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall--
            (1) review the potential applications of artificial 
        intelligence and digital technology to Department of Defense 
        platforms, processes, and operations; and
            (2) establish performance objectives and accompanying 
        metrics for the incorporation of artificial intelligence and 
        digital readiness into such platforms, processes, and 
        operations.
    (b) Performance Objectives and Accompanying Metrics.--
            (1) Skill gaps.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
        Secretary shall require each secretary of a military department 
        and the head of each component of the Department shall--
                    (A)(i) conduct a comprehensive review of skill gaps 
                in the fields of software development, software 
                engineering, knowledge management, data science, and 
                artificial intelligence;
                    (ii) assess the number and qualifications of 
                civilian personnel needed for both management and 
                specialist tracks in such fields;
                    (iii) assess the number of military personnel 
                (officer and enlisted) needed for both management and 
                specialist tracks in such fields; and
                    (B) establish recruiting, training, and talent 
                management performance objectives and accompanying 
                metrics for achieving and maintaining staffing levels 
                needed to fill identified gaps and meet the needs of 
                the Department for skilled personnel.
            (2) AI modernization activities.--In carrying out 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) assess investment by the Department in 
                artificial intelligence innovation, science and 
                technology, and research and development;
                    (B) assess investment by the Department in test and 
                evaluation of artificial intelligence capabilities; and
                    (C) establish performance objectives and 
                accompanying metrics for artificial intelligence 
                modernization activities of the Department.
            (3) Exercises, wargames, and experimentation.--To assist 
        the Secretary in carrying out subsection (a), the Chairman of 
        the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall--
                    (A) assess the integration of artificial 
                intelligence into war-games, exercises, and 
                experimentation; and
                    (B) develop performance objectives and accompanying 
                metrics for such integration.
            (4) Logistics and sustainment.--In carrying out subsection 
        (a), the Secretary shall require the Under Secretary of Defense 
        for Acquisition and Sustainment--
                    (A) to assess the application of artificial 
                intelligence in logistics and sustainment systems; and
                    (B) to establish performance objectives and 
                accompanying metrics for integration of artificial 
                intelligence in the Department of Defense logistics and 
                sustainment enterprise.
            (5) Business ai applications.--In carrying out subsection 
        (a), the Secretary of Defense shall--
                    (A) assess the integration of artificial 
                intelligence for administrative functions that can be 
                performed with robotic process automation and 
                artificial intelligence-enabled analysis; and
                    (B) establish performance objectives and 
                accompanying metrics for the integration of artificial 
                intelligence in priority business process areas of the 
                Department, including the following:
                            (i) Human resources.
                            (ii) Budget and finance, including audit.
                            (iii) Retail.
                            (iv) Real estate.
                            (v) Health care.
                            (vi) Logistics.
                            (vii) Such other business processes as the 
                        Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 120 days after the 
completion of the review required by subsection (a)(1), the Secretary 
shall submit to the congressional defense committees (as defined in 
section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code) a report on--
            (1) the findings of the Secretary with respect to the 
        review and any action taken or proposed to be taken by the 
        Secretary to address such findings; and
            (2) the performance objectives and accompanying metrics 
        established under subsections (a)(2) and (b).
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