Federal workers expect that over the next 3 years, 51% of roles will require collaboration with AI technologies. However, many challenges still exist around introducing AI in agencies, including limited budgets, worker anxiety about displacement, and a perception that people are a low priority. The document recommends that agencies raise AI awareness among employees, offer consistent communication about AI, and provide experiential learning opportunities to make employees more capable of working with AI.

1. READY
TOTHRIVEEngagingtheFederalWorkforce
intheAgeofAI

2. 22
Across industries and around the globe, executives
report that more than half of work can be augmented by
intelligent technologies.
GLOBALEXECUTIVES:
AIISCHANGINGTHE
WORLDOFWORK
2
Source: https://www.accenture.com/t20180613T062119Z__w__/
us-en/_acnmedia/PDF-69/Accenture-Reworking-the-Revolution-
Jan-2018-POV.pdf
29%
Report that they’ve already
extensively redesigned jobs to
work with AI.
51%
38%
11%
Not augmentable
nor automatable
Automatable
Augmentable

3. 33
FEDERALWORKERSALSOFORESEECHANGE
of Federal workers expect an
increase in the share of roles
requiring collaboration with
intelligent technologies like AI over
the next 3 years
of Federal workers believe
intelligent technologies like AI will
create opportunities for their work
31%
51%

4. 44
ANDTHEY’RECONFIDENT–WITHACAVEAT
Confident their technical skills and
abilities make them an attractive
worker in a ’government of the
future’
Believe it will be important for them
to develop skills to work with
artificial intelligence in the next 3 to
5 years
73%
78%
But

5. 55
POORCOMMUNICATION
MAYFUELOBSTACLES…
Which of the following are challenges to introducing AI as a coworker in your agency?
49%
39%
36%
36%
35%
31%
29%
28%
20%
18%
12%
Limited budget
Worker anxiety/fear of displacement
Competing priorities
Lack of AI-specific governance/oversight
Over-reliance on legacy IT
Opposition from aging workforce
Limited advocacy by leadership
Disparate/disjointed data
High volume of paper-based processes
Perceptions that AI is irrelevant/unneeded
Don’t know/Other/None of the above
Percentages exceed 100 - Respondents asked to
'select all that apply'.

6. 66
…ANDAPERCEPTIONTHAT
PEOPLEAREALOWPRIORITY
Which description more accurately depicts your agency’s internal priorities?
Process refining processes to produce greatest
efficiencies, yield savings, ensure compliance, reduce
redundancy, etc.
29% 38%
15%
18%
Technology system enhancement initiatives, upgrading
technologies, replacing legacy systems, etc.
People recruiting skilled workers, rewarding employee
performance, cross-team exercises, collaborative problem-
solving, etc.
None of the above
The focus is on:

7. 7
When agencies understand
that people make success
possible, they will empower
their workforce to amplify
AI’s potential.
- Britaini Carroll
Human Capital, Workforce Lead
Accenture Federal Services
MERELY
IMPLEMENTING AI
WILL NOT ENSURE
ITS SUCCESS
“

8. 88
GOODNEWS:FEDERALWORKERSAREPRIMED
IT’STIMETOSHAPEPOSITIVEPERCEPTIONS
Which best describes your attitude towards the impact that intelligent technologies will have on your
work in the next 3 years?
Negative
I believe that intelligent technologies will
create challenges for my work.
31%
14%
55%
Neutral
I don’t have a strong opinion on the impact
of intelligent technologies on my work.
Positive
I believe intelligent technologies will create
opportunities for my work.

9. 99
TAKEACTION
Copyright © 2019 Accenture. All rights reserved.

10. 1010
RAISECURIOSITY,
FOSTERCREATIVITY
Build AI Awareness
Federal agencies’ missions to serve are
compelling. Allow employees to channel their
passion to make a difference by offering ways to
learn about, talk about, and brainstorm how
intelligent technologies can advance your
mission. Bonus: self-identified AI advocates.
How? Initiate an AI taskforce, launch AI internal
awareness campaigns, begin a Building AI 101
course.

11. 1111
Become AI Conversant
OFFERCONSISTENT,
DELIBERATE
COMMUNICATION
Encourage management at all levels to speak up
about AI with authority. Take the time to develop
a communications plan, messaging, and
governance structure to create an environment
for employees to stay AI informed ongoing. The
more frequently you talk about AI, the greater its
familiarity, and the more discussions will allay
fears and concerns about this new technology.
How? Spark an AI Hackathon, offer AI Solution
training, develop a learning path for
specialization

12. 1212
MAKEDOINGPART
OFLEARNING
Become AI Capable
Guide and incent employees with modular and
experiential learning opportunities. Let them
experience an AI augmented task or chatbot
interaction in a learning environment. Thank
them for their participation in a meaningful way
like a hand written note or by spotlighting their
contributions during a standing staff meeting.
How? Create an AI learning engine leveraging AI
tools to skill people on AI.

13. 13
LET’SGETTOWORKTOGETHER
Michael Gavin
Senior Manager – Human Capital
ACCENTURE SOURCES
AND FURTHER READING
It’s learning, just not as we know it.
Essential Insights: AI Unleashed
Reworking the Revolution
Britaini Carroll
Senior Manager – Human Capital
/britaini-carroll
Kristen Vaughan
Managing Director – Human Capital
/kristen-vaughan

14. 14
ABOUT ACCENTURE
FEDERAL SERVICES
Accenture Federal Services, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Accenture LLP, is a U.S. company with
offices in Arlington, Virginia. Accenture’s federal
business has served every cabinet-level
department and 30 of the largest federal
organizations. Accenture Federal Services
transforms bold ideas into breakthrough outcomes
for clients at defense, intelligence, public safety,
civilian and military health organizations. Learn
more at www.accenturefederal.com .
ABOUT ACCENTURE
Accenture is a leading global professional services
company, providing a broad range of services and
solutions in strategy, consulting, digital,
technology and operations. Combining unmatched
experience and specialized skills across more than
40 industries and all business functions —
underpinned by the world’s largest delivery
network — Accenture works at the intersection of
business and technology to help clients improve
their performance and create sustainable value for
their stakeholders. With 469,000 people serving
clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture
drives innovation to improve the way the world
works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
Copyright © 2019 Accenture. All rights reserved.