U.S. Federal Agencies at the Innovating with AI

Executive Order 13960, is accelerating its adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI). From the website of the department of homeland security on their AI Use Case Inventory page, ‘Pursuant to Executive Order 13960 Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government, Federal agencies are required to create and make publicly available an inventory of non-classified and non-sensitive Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases, to the extent practicable and in accordance with applicable law and policy’. Relating to the previous quote, this one from the AI.gov website’s homepage, ‘The federal government is leveraging AI to better serve the public across a wide array of use cases, including in healthcare, transportation, the environment, and benefits delivery. The federal government is also establishing strong guardrails to ensure its use of AI keeps people safe and doesn’t violate their rights’. This blog post showcases how various federal agencies are harnessing AI to better serve the public and uphold safety and rights, in accordance with established guardrails.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been a pioneer in AI usage:

FDA Emerging Chemical Hazard Intelligence Platform (ECHIP) and Warp Intelligent Learning EnginE (WILEE)

The FDA, under HHS, is leveraging AI to enhance its capacity to respond to emerging chemical hazards. By employing horizon-scanning applications and intelligent knowledge discovery platforms, ECHIP and WILEE are used to identify, aggregate, and map information related to consumed foods, ingredients, and food chemicals. The outcome is a proactive tool that accelerates decision-making, prioritizes hazards, and mitigates risks to consumers.

HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHB) AI Chatbot

To address the overwhelming volume of customer support calls, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has deployed an AI Chatbot within the Electronic Handbooks EHB system. This self-service platform, powered by the Artificial Solutions Teneo platform, resolves 90% of incoming inquiries without human intervention, allowing customer support staff to focus on more complex issues.

The General Services Administration (GSA) uses AI to expedite the Federal government’s acquisition process:

Solicitation Review Tool (SRT)

The GSA utilizes the SRT, integrating SAM.gov data for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solicitations. By employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) models, the system determines compliance language within solicitations, streamlining the review process and enhancing accuracy.

Contract Acquisition Lifecycle Intelligence (CALI)

CALI is an automated machine learning evaluation tool. It supports the Source Selection process. Streamlining the evaluation of vendor proposals, CALI analyzes format compliance, forms validation, reps & certs compliance, and requirements compliance. This tool is a testament to the GSA’s commitment to efficiency and effectiveness.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses A.I for more than just advancements in space:

Deep Learning-based Hurricane Intensity Estimator

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a web-based situational awareness tool using deep learning on satellite images to objectively estimate hurricane wind speed. This tool provides critical information for disaster preparedness and response.

Europa Ice Floe Detection (GSFC Planetary Sciences Lab)

Machine learning applied to Galileo space probe imagery enables the detection and classification of ice blocks in the chaos regions of Jupiter’s moon Europa. This project demonstrates the versatility of AI in space exploration and planetary science.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) protects the nation’s digital and physical borders with the AI assistance:

RelativityOne

DHS employs RelativityOne, a document review platform utilizing machine learning, clustering, and continuous active learning to gain efficiencies in document review in litigation and FOIA requests.

Touchless PreCheck Identity Solution

TSA, under DHS, utilizes facial comparison technology to verify passengers’ identities at security checkpoints, expediting the screening process while maintaining a high level of security.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Alerting Models

CISA employs machine learning in threat hunting and Security Operations Center (SOC) activities, allowing analysts to comb through vast amounts of log data with mathematically and probabilistically based models.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) uses AI to optimize aircraft safety systems, and may use ChatGPT in the future as a chat-bot to enhance public sentiment around pipeline construction:

JASC Code classification in Safety Difficulty Reports (SDR)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under DOT, collaborates with George Mason University to apply Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning to predict Joint Aircraft System Codes (JASC) from safety difficulty reports (SDR), enhancing safety event reporting.

PHMSA Rule Making using ChatGPT

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) utilizes ChatGPT in rulemaking processes to provide sentiment analysis, relevance analysis, synopsis creation, cataloging of comments, and identification of duplicate comments. This AI-powered initiative aims to enhance efficiency and scale efforts during public scrutiny.

The Untapped Potential

In the midst of this AI revolution within federal agencies, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are yet to fully integrate AI into their workflows. This void presents a golden opportunity for future entrepreneurs within and outside the government. By infusing AI into the operations of these agencies, entrepreneurs have the potential to revolutionize small business support, scientific research, and innovation.

The United States Federal Government’s commitment to using AI in its operations is evident across many agencies. As these initiatives unfold, they not only exemplify the transformative power of AI but also underline the government’s dedication to innovation, efficiency, and public service. At Sabre88 we believe with responsible use and continued advancements, AI is set to become an integral part of how the government fulfills its mission to the public.

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