Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Talent Act

This bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Secretary of State, to develop and publish a comprehensive strategy within 180 days. The primary goal of this strategy is to align federal policies, regulations, and practices to enhance the United States' ability to attract, admit, retain, and appropriately vet foreign talent, and to cultivate domestic talent. This effort is crucial for promoting U.S. leadership and dominance in artificial intelligence and other critical technologies, while also strengthening the broader ecosystem of scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial innovation. The required strategy must include several key elements. It mandates assessments of how current federal policies affect the U.S.'s competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent, and how immigration-related policies impact entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. Furthermore, it calls for an evaluation of options to improve immigration pathways and retention for foreign nationals educated or trained in the U.S., alongside examining how to ensure relevant skills are developed in U.S. citizens. A significant component of the strategy involves assessing the need for a dedicated talent identification organization to pinpoint top technical talent willing to work in the U.S. It also requires a detailed description of measures to ensure risk-based screening and vetting procedures to protect national security, sensitive technologies, and intellectual property from foreign adversaries. The strategy must also identify metrics to evaluate progress and provide recommendations for administrative, regulatory, and legislative changes, including potential revisions to the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program and the creation of new visa classes for entrepreneurs in high-priority sectors like AI and quantum technologies.