Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Tech Diplomacy Training Act (H.R. 8212) to ensure all Foreign Service officers receive training on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts prior to being stationed abroad.
“Training in STEM is paramount in our increasingly digital security landscape, especially as our adversaries pursue advances in artificial intelligence, surveillance technology, and next-generation communications infrastructure,” said Congressman Baird. “As diplomats, our Foreign Service officers need to have a background in science and technology. Our adversaries, primarily Communist China, use technology for exploitative purposes. As technology continues to rapidly evolve, our diplomatic efforts will depend on understanding how U.S. technology priorities connect with other diplomatic and economic efforts. This legislation ensures STEM remains at the forefront of our diplomatic efforts so we can succeed against our adversaries.”
Background:
Currently, all Foreign Service Officers are required to pass a basic training known as the A-100 orientation course. Within the curriculum, officers learn about various topics, including human trafficking, religious freedom, and multilateral diplomacy, but STEM topics are not included in the A-100 course or any Foreign Service orientation.
The Tech Diplomacy Training Act requires that all Foreign Service officers receive training during their A-100 course on emerging technologies, the uses of technology in American diplomacy, and how our adversaries can use STEM concepts to undermine U.S. national security interests.
Read the bill text here.