Elon Musk Wants To Use AI To Run The U.S. Government – But Experts Say It’s A ‘Very Bad’ Idea

Elon Musk’s attempt to implement artificial intelligence systems within the U.S. government faces strong criticism from experts who describe it as “a terrible idea.” The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk has dismissed thousands of federal workers and forces surviving staff to provide weekly performance reports. AI systems process employee reports to decide which workers should stay in their positions, which has generated substantial worry among the workforce.

Lawmakers, together with experts, have expressed warnings about unidentified risks associated with these AI systems. According to law and political science professor Cary Coglianese, AI systems need thorough testing and validation before deployment because they lack reliable performance in employment decisions. The lack of proper oversight enables AI to create biased outcomes and generate errors and unintended effects similar to past government applications of AI in welfare and unemployment systems.

Shobita Parthasarathy from the public policy field shares these same apprehensions about AI systems because they operate through historical data while lacking genuine understanding abilities. The past AI fraud detection system in Michigan led to thousands of wrongful accusations and financial destruction until the state finally acknowledged its errors, according to Parthasarathy.

AI performs security surveillance of social media platforms to detect national security threats while also playing a part in decision-making processes for military purposes. AI-driven government policies might produce incorrect accusations and discriminatory actions because of inadequate transparency, according to professional experts.

The efficient use of AI in government requires careful development alongside proper validation processes and maintained accountability, according to experts. Hasty implementation of AI systems in government operations without adequate protection measures poses risks that threaten the lives of numerous people.