Congressional Concerns Over AI in Government

By Jeffrey Dastin

Members of Congress have urged the Trump administration to stop using unauthorized artificial intelligence systems for managing government expenditure, as stated in a letter sent on Wednesday. Nearly 50 Democrats from the U.S. House of Representatives signed the letter, voicing worries about the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) AI usage. President Donald Trump established DOGE and appointed billionaire Elon Musk to identify waste, fraud, and abuse in federal operations.

While acknowledging AI’s potential for modernizing government, the Democrats expressed concerns regarding employee monitoring and sensitive data security. The letter, led by Representatives Donald Beyer, Mike Levin, and Melanie Stansbury, stated:

> “These present serious security risks, self-dealing, and potential criminal liability if not handled correctly, and have the potential to undermine successful and appropriate AI adoption.”

Reports indicate that Trump officials are using AI to monitor communications deemed hostile to the administration, with DOGE utilizing Grok AI technology from Musk’s xAI startup.

The White House Office of Management and Budget has not responded to inquiries regarding this matter. The Environmental Protection Agency clarified that while AI is being sought for efficiency, it is not being used for personnel decisions linked with DOGE.

The House Democrats requested the termination of any AI systems without formal approvals like FedRAMP or those not meeting legal requirements. They inquired about the potential use of Musk’s xAI technology and its compliance with laws.

Concerns about conflicts of interest were raised, especially if Musk secures further government contracts for AI services. As a special government employee, Musk is prohibited from participating in federal activities benefiting his companies to comply with ethics laws.

The Trump administration has recently issued guidance to simplify the acquisition and use of AI in government while also mandating that risks in critical applications, such as hiring and firing, must be managed.