The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), responsible for ensuring that companies with federal contracts comply with equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws, had a noteworthy week in November 2023. Here is a review of key highlights for legal professionals advising some of the world’s biggest corporations and law firms.
One of the standout developments came towards the end of October when President Biden announced a consequential Executive Order (EO) on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This was then made public on the White House website shortly after its unveiling at a press event. The EO not only signified a major federal initiative but also contained specific directives for the US Department of Labor (DOL) among numerous other agencies.
Named the “Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and…”, it raised an “all hands-on deck” approach for the federal government regarding AI. The EO is extensive, containing three sections with mandates explicitly crafted for the US DOL.
Considering this colossal move towards the use of AI, companies with federal contracts must now navigate the intricacies of this new landscape. This could potentially require changes to their operations, adjustments to their compliance with EEO laws, and prompt reviewing the roles and responsibilities of their legal teams. Legal professionals should strive to stay updated on this development to provide their best possible advice concerning the OFCCP’s compliance requirements.
For more details on this subject, you can read about the OFCCP’s week in review at JD Supra.