Elon Musk’s DOGE Developing AI Chatbot to Modernize U.S. Government

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is developing an AI chatbot, “GSAi,” as part of a broader plan to modernize the U.S. federal government under President Donald Trump’s administration. The chatbot will serve the General Services Administration (GSA), aiming to boost productivity for its 12,000 employees by managing contracts, office buildings, and IT infrastructure. This initiative reflects Trump’s AI-first agenda, focused on cutting costs and increasing efficiency through technology.

Inside the GSAi Project

GSAi is designed to handle routine tasks, such as drafting memos and analyzing procurement data, which could significantly streamline day-to-day operations across federal agencies. According to insiders familiar with the project, Musk’s team had initially considered using Google’s AI software, Gemini, but opted to develop an in-house system for greater control over data and faster implementation.

Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla employee and current head of the GSA’s Technology Transformation Services, hinted at the project in a recent meeting. Shedd noted the goal was to centralize contract analysis to better understand government spending. “The thing that’s different is potentially building that whole system in-house and building it very quickly,” Shedd said, according to a recording obtained by WIRED.

Trump’s Push for AI Dominance

President Trump’s administration has aggressively pursued AI integration across federal agencies, with Musk’s DOGE at the forefront. While the Biden administration issued cautious guidelines for AI adoption, Trump has directed his team to eliminate such barriers, aiming for "global AI dominance." DOGE’s swift moves have sparked both support and criticism. Some federal employees and civil rights groups argue the rapid changes may be unconstitutional, while Trump supporters celebrate the modernization efforts.

Despite DOGE’s ambitions, some AI tools have faced setbacks. For instance, plans to deploy Cursor, a coding assistant developed by San Francisco startup Anysphere, were halted for further review due to potential security risks and regulatory concerns. The team has since pivoted toward using Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot for coding assistance.

Ethical and Security Concerns

Federal regulations require agencies to avoid conflicts of interest in technology procurement. Given the political ties of some AI firms under consideration—such as Thrive Capital, led by Joshua Kushner (brother of Jared Kushner), and Andreessen Horowitz, whose cofounder Marc Andreessen advises Trump—questions about ethical compliance have surfaced.

Additionally, the rapid deployment of AI tools has raised cybersecurity concerns. Under President Biden, the GSA had prioritized security reviews for AI technologies, though few made it through the approval process. These reviews are time-intensive, often putting startups like Anysphere at a disadvantage compared to established firms like Microsoft. Government security reviews often demand significant investments of time, staff, and resources—requirements that can be challenging for smaller startups to meet. This may have hindered Cursor’s chances in DOGE’s recent AI initiatives, as the company reportedly lacked immediate plans to secure FedRAMP authorization, a crucial certification for federal technology vendors, according to sources familiar with the GSA’s interest in the tool.

AI in Politics: A Growing Trend

The GSAi project isn’t the only example of AI entering the political sphere. In the U.K., AI Steve, a chatbot designed to engage with constituents, ran as a candidate for Parliament in 2024. It collects feedback 24/7 and shapes policies based on public input. Similarly, in Pennsylvania, Democratic House candidate Shamaine Daniels launched Ashley, an AI-powered volunteer caller that speaks to voters about her campaign. On the Republican side, a super PAC supporting Miami Mayor Francis Suarez used an AI chatbot named AI Francis Suarez to share his policy agenda before his presidential campaign ended.

What This Means

The rise of AI in both government operations and political campaigns signals a shift toward technology-driven decision-making and engagement. While proponents argue these tools improve efficiency and responsiveness, critics worry about data privacy, cybersecurity risks, and ethical conflicts. As Musk’s DOGE pushes forward with GSAi and other AI projects, the balance between innovation and regulation will be a key issue in the evolving role of AI in governance. For better or worse, the U.S. government is undergoing a technological upgrade that could reshape how federal agencies operate in the years ahead.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.