From 32 to 282: The Explosive Rise of Generative AI in Federal Agencies

On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, we dive into one of the fastest-growing shifts in federal technology: the skyrocketing use of generative AI across government. According to new findings from the Government Accountability Office, generative AI use cases jumped ninefold in just one year—growing from 32 in 2023 to 282 in 2024. Candice Wright, Director of Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics at GAO, joins Francis to break down what’s driving this surge, which agencies are leading the way, and how AI is reshaping government operations.

Wright explains how agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services are applying AI in areas such as medical research, disease detection, and public health response, while also navigating hurdles like policy compliance, budget constraints, and governance challenges. She shares insights on why agencies must align AI adoption with mission-driven use cases, how fast-moving technology is testing existing policy frameworks, and why effective governance requires voices from across legal, privacy, procurement, and technical teams.

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