Tech Won't Save Us How DOGE is Remaking the US Government w/ Makena Kelly
36 snips
Feb 20, 2025 Makena Kelly, a senior writer at WIRED and author of the Politics Lab newsletter, discusses the radical changes that DOGE is bringing to U.S. governance. She delves into how this initiative is reshaping roles in government IT and influencing crucial departments like Social Security. The conversation touches on the challenges of integrating inexperienced personnel into vital systems and the ongoing struggle between modern technology and outdated legacy systems. Kelly also highlights the tensions between innovation, regulatory oversight, and transparency in government operations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
DOGE's Transformation
- Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) transitioned from an advisory council to an executive-level group.
- This shift granted DOGE significant authority, including control over the US Digital Service (USDS).
DOGE's Expanding Influence
- DOGE's takeover of USDS granted them access to various government departments, giving them broad reach.
- A former Tesla engineer now directs the Technology Transformation Services (TTS) within the General Services Administration (GSA), aiming to implement an AI-first strategy.
Data Access Concerns
- Federal workers express concern over DOGE's access to sensitive data like social security numbers.
- A DOGE intern at Treasury was mistakenly granted access to the entire Treasury payment system.