The use of artificial intelligence tools in some federal operations almost doubled between 2023 and 2024, with generative AI software usage increasing nine times, particularly over the previous year, according to a report from the new government's Office of Accountability.
In a survey conducted at 11 different institutions, GAO found that recorded AI use cases increased from 571 in 2023 to 1,110 in 2024. The report was the result of multiple requests for federal agencies to prepare the latest inventory in their business operations, including an executive order of 2020 and an August 2024 guidance from the Federal Information Manager.
A review from GAO found that the Ministry of Health and Human Services is leading the way in AI adoption, with a total of 271 documented AI systems in place as of 2024. HHS has the Bureau of Veterans Affairs, operating 229 AI use cases, and 183 AI tools are used in business operations.
GAO also pointed out the broad objectives of each AI use case, including transportation, emergency management, health and healthcare, mission enablement, government services, education and labor.
Of these categories, 61% of current federal AI use cases are working towards enabling missions or supporting internal agencies.
A 2024 survey revealed that within the AI solutions adopted, most of the use cases are still in the “start” or preliminary stage.
Of the key challenges GAO officials have discovered through the investigation, compliance with existing federal policies regarding the use of AI was a frequently cited concern. An agency official told the GAO author that he was creating his own internal policies was hampered by a lack of funding and insufficient technical talent. Despite these set-ups, the institution continues to develop its own custom-made AI guidance.
The agency also notifies its own AI policies and practices from existing policies developed in recent years, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology AI Risk Management Framework and Generated AI Profiles, along with GAO's AI Accountability Framework.
The increase in AI use at the federal level and corresponding developments of agency-specific AI guidance have been consistently documented, with other figures for the second half of 2024 counting over 1,700 active AI use cases across 37 agencies. The Trump administration prioritizes the issuance of a wide range of federal guidance that changes AI contracts and usage, primarily focusing on banning AI from government use and ensuring transparency in the model structure.
