Artificial intelligence at NSF
The U.S. National Science Foundation aims to accelerate the agency's use of AI to improve business operations and support its mission. Through thoughtful use of AI, NSF will enhance its internal capabilities, make intelligent data-informed decisions and better serve stakeholders by harnessing AI to accelerate scientific progress, promote national prosperity and strengthen U.S. global competitiveness in science and innovation.
This page serves as a hub for agencywide AI efforts, including strategic direction and compliance guidance.
On this page
NSF's approach to AI
NSF is focused on deploying AI in ways that are ethical, transparent and aligned with our core values. The agency's AI initiatives are designed to enhance operational efficiency, improve service delivery and ensure equitable outcomes for all stakeholders.
Below you will find key documents that guide NSF's work with AI.
AI strategy
U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-25-21, Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust, directs each "Chief Financial Officers Act" agency to develop an AI strategy and post it publicly on the agency's website.
The NSF AI strategy outlines the agency's vision, goals and priorities for the development and use of AI technologies in satisfaction of the requirements of Section 2(a) of the Appendix to M-25-21. It provides a road map for integrating AI into NSF operations while ensuring alignment with both federal mandates and scientific integrity.
AI compliance plan
The "AI in Government Act of 2020" and OMB Memorandum M-25-21, Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust, direct each agency to submit to OMB and post publicly on the agency's website a plan to achieve consistency with M-25-21, unless the agency makes and posts a written determination that the agency does not use and does not anticipate using AI.
NSF's AI compliance plan satisfies the requirements of Section 3(b)(ii) of the Appendix to M-25-21 and Section 104(c) of the "AI in Government Act of 2020." The agency will report on compliance with the case-specific practices mandated in Section 4 of the M-25-21 Appendix separately, through its annual AI use case inventory.
