Tech

OpenAI to give federal agencies ChatGPT access at $1 per year

The General Services Administration signs this new OneGov pact to help agencies adopt advanced artificial intelligence tools as part of the Trump administration’s push for AI leadership.

Tech

GSA adds global AI providers to the schedule

ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini are now available to agencies through a single source for buying artificial intelligence capabilities.

Tech

Trump’s order to remove ‘woke’ AI from government may have ‘downstream impacts,’ experts worry

Some experts and advocates warned that last week's executive order will have a chilling effect on free speech.

Workforce

Census is planning on hiring fewer temporary workers for the 2030 count, watchdog reports

An official from the nonprofit Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said the smaller workforce, among other proposed changes, could contribute to undercounts of certain groups.

Management

Inside VA’s yearslong AI effort to uncover veterans at high risk of suicide

VA’s REACH VET model scans veterans’ electronic health records to identify those in the top 0.1% of suicide risk and then provide them with more targeted support.

Management

Artificial intelligence could supercharge Trump’s deregulatory push, but experts flag shortfalls

While noting AI’s benefits, speakers at a Tuesday event argued that an overreliance on the technology while developing regulations could lead to poor decisionmaking and legal challenges.

Tech

Senate Democrats want more information on SSA’s use of AI on its phone lines

A new letter sent to the SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano follows Nextgov/FCW reporting that an anti-fraud check installed on the agency’s phone lines found very little likely fraud.

Management

Lawmakers demand review of VA’s AI-driven contract cuts

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Angus King, I-Maine, said the use of AI to identify agency contracts for termination “adds an entire new level of unease connected to the decision-making, security, governance, and quality control of the entire process.”

Workforce

Feds on the job hunt are taking advantage of professional development opportunities tailored to them

Initiatives are focusing on topics ranging from wellness and career coaching to artificial intelligence.

Tech

Reconciliation text includes $500 million for modernization and AI at Commerce

The text also includes a prohibition on state-level enforcement of AI laws and regulations.

Tech

SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees

The agency has said that it intends to use technology and AI to make up for workforce cuts.

Tech

Bipartisan bill calls for NOAA to use AI to forecast wildfires and extreme weather

The bill’s introduction comes amid Trump administration efforts to scale back the agency’s workforce and operations.

Management

Top oversight Dem files resolution to demand answers from DOGE on AI use

The resolution of inquiry from Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., would make the White House provide Congress with further information about DOGE’s use of federal data and AI.

Tech

What the federal workforce could look like with AI government employees

Planning will determine how effectively AI agents are incorporated to streamline agency processes and systems, government technology experts argued.

Tech

USPS plans to use AI to enhance customer service 

USPS Vice President for Customer Experience Marc McCrery said the agency is looking to switch its call center platform to a cloud-based application this summer, which he said will be “the start of our AI journey.”

Tech

HHS’ 2024 AI use case inventory shows move toward internal chatbots

The agency reported 271 AI use cases in 2024, which it said represented a 66% increase from its reported 2023 total.

Tech

DHS launches internal GenAI chatbot to leverage non-public data

Agency Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the tool, known as DHSChat, “will help men and women across DHS draft vital reports, summarize critical information, develop new software, streamline administrative tasks and much more.”

Tech

DHS releases guidance for AI in critical infrastructure

The Homeland Security Department worked with its diverse AI Safety and Security Board to develop a holistic approach for securing critical infrastructure that leverages AI technologies.

Tech

House Dems join push to create AI-focused civil rights offices across government

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., would require that federal agencies “utilizing, funding or overseeing AI” establish civil rights offices to address algorithmic bias.

Tech

DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order

The agency said it has hired 31 technologists for its AI Corps and completed three pilot projects that have provided “valuable insights into the real-life impact of GenAI tools as well as their limitations.”