DOGE Uses AI to Investigate US Department of Education Spending

The AI ​​investigation included personally identifiable information from grant managers along with internal financial data. The DOGE team used AI software via Microsoft’s Azure cloud service to review disbursements, including contracts, grants, travel expenses, and other expenses.

According to the report, subordinates at the US Department of Education were directed by their superiors to allow Musk's team access to financial data.

Madi Biedermann, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach, confirmed that DOGE employees are federal employees, sworn in and have undergone background checks. She stressed that no wrongdoing has occurred and that the team is focused on helping the department save money, operate more efficiently and be more transparent.

The report also revealed that the DOGE team’s goal at the U.S. Department of Education is to cut spending, downsize the agency, and reduce staff. The team plans to apply the same approach to other departments and agencies, accessing backend systems and using AI to analyze spending related to personnel and programs, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Earlier last week, the DOGE group also accessed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' key billing and contracting systems to identify areas at risk of fraud or waste.

Ngoc Anh (according to WP, Seeking Alpha)