Today, global tech trade association ITI unveiled a new set of best practices, The Dos and Don’ts of Artificial Intelligence Procurement, to help U.S. federal, state, and local policymakers ensure that the U.S. government can access best-in-class commercial AI solutions as they navigate the increasingly complex procurement environment. The recommendations come ahead of anticipated AI procurement guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, as well as recent AI procurement guidelines published by various state and local governments.

ITI’s new guide aims to educate policymakers on how governments can access the most innovative capabilities to help serve the public safely, securely, and at the best possible value.

“Leveraging ITI’s public sector expertise, this new guide will help government buyers determine what to do – and not to do – to procure cutting-edge AI technologies effectively,” said ITI Senior Vice President of Public Sector Policy Megan Petersen. “AI is already transforming government efficiency, and policymakers at all levels must prioritize creating and maintaining an innovation-friendly environment for its procurement to further realize the immense benefits.”

Included in its guide, ITI encourages policymakers to:

Do not impose a one-size-fits-all risk assessment framework that disincentivizes innovation and hinders government access to commercial AI technologies;

Do prioritize the use of commercial AI solutions, procured with commercial terms and conditions, rather than developing government-specific solutions;

Do perform continuous market research and engage robustly with the private sector to stay informed as AI technologies rapidly develop and evolve;

Do not require contractors to submit proprietary information such as AI model training data to the government;

Do consider public-private partnerships and the use of innovative procurement methods to incentivize research and development in AI;

Do leverage all available special hiring authorities to address workforce challenges and ensure that the government can attract, retain, and develop necessary AI expertise to leverage this technology’s benefits.

Read the full Dos and Don’ts of Artificial Intelligence Procurement here.