The department has designated AI as a top area for modernization. Image: motionVectors/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffIn a recommendation on an issue of growing importance government-wide, the GAO has recommended that the Defense Department more thoroughly plan how it is going to acquire and use artificial intelligence capabilities.
The department has designated AI as a top area for modernization for uses such as identifying threats or potential targets on a battlefield, GAO said, “and is allocating considerable spending to develop AI tools and capabilities.”
“Although numerous entities across DoD are acquiring, developing, or already using AI, DoD has not issued department-wide guidance for how its components should approach acquiring AI. DoD is in the process of planning to develop such guidance, but it has not defined concrete plans and has no timeline to do so. The military services also lack AI acquisition-specific guidance, though military officials noted that such guidance would be helpful to navigate the AI acquisition process,” says a report ordered by Congress.
In a review of private sector practices on acquiring and using AI, GAO found that key practices include: analyze the problem to decide whether AI is the appropriate solution; justify a proposed AI solution including having suitable and clean data available; protect access to data and systems and consider intellectual property concerns; tolerate failure, try a technology before buying and conduct oversight of performance; and forecast future AI capabilities that may be of value.
It added that some DoD components have individually developed or plan to develop their own informal AI acquisition resources but that department-wide guidance is needed, it said.
The GAO said that DoD concurred with its recommendations for such a policy.
Key Bills Advancing, but No Path to Avoid Shutdown Apparent
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
White House to Issue Rules on RIF, Disciplinary Policy Changes
DoD Announces Civilian Volunteer Detail in Support of Immigration Enforcement
See also,
How Do Age and Years of Service Impact My Federal Retirement
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
Should I be Shooting for a $1M TSP Balance? Depends…
