Driven both by genuine need and by Executive Order, agencies across government made great strides in 2024 to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their IT systems and business processes to increase efficiency and introduce new insights for data-driven decision-making.
AI is widely used across government in a variety of capacities, including fraud detection at the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration, public health data analysis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, powering chatbots to improve customer service at General Services Administration and Veterans Affairs, and more.
Federal agencies successfully completed the goals set forth by the Biden administration, including:
- Managing risks to safety and security - AI developers are now reporting results of safety and security testing, and the government itself has developed new testing for AI models. Within government, new guidelines and measures have been developed to minimize risks associated with misinformation about AI-generated content.
- Protecting workers, consumers, privacy, and civil rights - Several agencies developed guidance for the safe use of AI, including The Department of Labor, where the guidance focuses on the well-being of workers and improving the quality of jobs; the Department of Health and Human Services, which is tracking harmful incidents involving AI's use in healthcare settings; and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which approved a rule requiring that algorithms and AI used for home valuations are fair, nondiscriminatory, and free of conflicts of interest.
- Harnessing AI for good - To support the nation's AI research and education community, the National AI Research Resource pilot awarded grants and access to resources to over 150 research teams across 34 states. Two new national AI research institutes have been established for building AI tools to advance progress across economic sectors, science, and engineering. Additionally, research was completed into how AI can support the growth of a clean energy economy.
- Bringing AI and AI talent to government - The Office of Management and Budget issued a government-wide policy to advance responsible acquisition of AI by federal agencies. The policy exists to ensure agencies have the information and tools necessary to manage risks, promote a competitive marketplace, and collaborate on strategic planning. Meanwhile, tech talent programs ramped up hiring for AI talent. This included the Presidential Innovation Fellows bringing on their first-ever AI cohort and the Department of Homeland Security establishing their AI Corps.
- Advancing U.S. leadership abroad - The U.S. sponsored and passed a United Nations General Assembly resolution that lays out a common vision for countries around the world to promote the safe and secure use of AI to address global challenges. Among other international efforts, the U.S. built a global network of AI Safety Institutes and other government-backed scientific offices. This network exists to advance AI safety at a technical level, accelerate critical information exchange, and drive toward common or compatible safety evaluations and policies.
With a new administration coming in, many of the mandates and much of the issued guidance may change, but the one constant will be the focus on increasing the use of AI to find efficiencies and insights within government. To keep up with the latest use and regulation of AI in government, check out these resources.
- AI for Mission-Critical Success: Insights from Industry Leaders (January 21, 2025; webcast) - This webinar brings together industry leaders to discuss how AI can be integrated into mission-critical workflows while maintaining trust, reliability, and ethical standards. Speakers will dive into the key strategies and innovations that are driving the future of AI in government.
- Revolutionizing Federal IT: The Power of AI-Assisted Software Development (January 29, 2025; webcast) - Harnessing AI is a useful way to advance modernization goals, but AI governance--including ethical considerations, data security, and compliance with federal regulations--must remain a top priority. And increased AI implementation demands that organizations rethink how they staff, develop, and run their day-to-day operations.
- 2025 Artificial Intelligence Summit (March 20, 2025; McLean, VA) - This event provides strategic insights and actionable takeaways from government decision-makers to harness artificial intelligence within your organizations.
- AI Acquisition Forum 2025 (July 23, 2025; McLean, VA) - This forum is designed to update the audience on new AI procurement guidance, how the government is addressing the generative AI responses to procurements, and the status and updates of the procurement staff as they address the requirements and responses to proposals.
- Engaging with Artificial Intelligence (AI) (white paper) - The purpose of this publication is to provide organizations with guidance on how to use AI systems securely. The paper summarizes some important threats related to AI systems and prompts organizations to consider steps they can take to engage with AI while managing risk.
- Enabling Principles for Artificial Intelligence Governance (white paper) - The question of how to govern artificial intelligence (AI) is rightfully top of mind for U.S. lawmakers and policymakers alike. Strides in developing high-powered large language models have demonstrated the potentially transformative impact that AI could have on society, replete with opportunities and risks.
- A Plan for Global Engagement on Artificial Intelligence Standards (white paper) - As a leader in AI, the United States recognizes the importance of advancing technical standards for safe, secure, and trustworthy AI development and use. Toward that goal, this document establishes a plan for global engagement on promoting and developing AI standards.
For more on the future of AI in government, search for additional events and resources on GovEvents and GovWhitePapers.
