Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has launched a custom chatbot, known as GSAi, for 1,500 federal workers at the General Services Administration (GSA). This initiative aims to automate various tasks previously handled by human employees and is part of DOGE’s broader strategy to optimize the federal workforce.
GSAi is designed for “general” tasks, emulating commercial chatbots such as ChatGPT while ensuring compliance with government standards. The chatbot’s capabilities include analyzing contract and procurement data in the future. A key aspect of GSAi’s rollout has been a pilot program involving 150 users, which DOGE plans to expand throughout the agency.
Federal workers can use GSAi through an interface similar to popular chatbots, with options for different models depending on the task at hand. Features outlined in an internal memo suggest users can draft emails, create talking points, summarize texts, and write code. However, the memo also cautions against inputting any sensitive or nonpublic federal information.
Feedback from early users describes GSAi as offering responses akin to those from an intern—capable but somewhat generic. The tool is intended to streamline work processes, but concerns have emerged regarding the potential impact on employment, as automation may lead to further reductions in the federal workforce.
Both the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services are exploring the possibility of utilizing similar chatbot technology, while the United States Army has implemented a generative AI tool to remove specific content from training materials.
In a recent town hall, GSA officials announced significant staff reductions within the Technology Transformation Services (TTS), indicating a shift towards a more results-oriented approach. Thomas Shedd, leading TTS, has expressed strong support for integrating AI into government operations, indicating that GSAi and similar projects will play a critical role in future efficiency endeavors.
