“To require Foreign Service officers to complete certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics training, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training requirements for Foreign Service officers, to be developed and conducted by the Secretary of State through the Director of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. The training covers (1) STEM-related matters, including artificial intelligence, next-generation communications, regional technological advancements, their effects on diplomacy, and other topics deemed critical; (2) U.S. use of emerging STEM as a diplomatic tool; and (3) adversary and national security threat uses of technology to undermine U.S. diplomacy or in their own diplomacy, as identified in the most recent National Security Strategy. The full training must be included in the A-100 orientation course for all Foreign Service officers; existing officers who have completed A-100 must complete the full training within 18 months of enactment or a condensed version within 270 days of enactment. (Thus, the training is in addition to and separate from existing Foreign Service training requirements, including on human rights, religious freedom, human trafficking, and mass atrocities.)