Subcommittee Chairwoman Mace Delivers Remarks on Federal Government’s Use of Artificial Intelligence
WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Chairwoman Nancy Mace delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing on “The Federal Government in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” In her statement, Chairwoman Mace emphasized that the federal government must effectively utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance services for Americans and reduce taxpayer expenses.
Chairwoman Mace highlighted various federal agencies’ current use of AI to detect fraud, optimize federal employee productivity, and support military personnel. However, she noted that despite these advancements, significant barriers and challenges remain, hindering the government’s ability to fully leverage AI’s potential. Mace stressed that the Oversight Committee recognizes these obstacles and is committed to addressing them.
“AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is already transforming sectors ranging from healthcare and national defense to finance and fraud prevention,” Chairwoman Mace stated. “The federal government has a responsibility to harness this technology to make government work more efficiently for the American people.” She outlined several key applications of AI within federal agencies, including:
- The Department of Defense using AI to enhance decision-making and protect military personnel
- Federal agencies employing AI to identify and prevent fraudulent activities
- AI assisting with administrative tasks, allowing federal employees to focus on their core missions
Despite these advancements, Chairwoman Mace identified several challenges that must be addressed, including:
- Outdated legacy IT systems incompatible with new technologies
- Cumbersome procurement processes limiting access to cutting-edge AI technologies
- Poor data management resulting in information silos and duplicative work
To address these challenges, the Committee plans to continue bipartisan legislative efforts. Notable initiatives include:
- The bipartisan Federal AI Governance and Transparency Act, which aims to ensure transparent and trustworthy AI use in government
- The AI Training Extension Act, sponsored by Chairwoman Mace, to equip federal employees with necessary AI literacy and skills
Chairwoman Mace also acknowledged the importance of the Committee’s role in ensuring responsible AI deployment and praised the efforts to remove unnecessary barriers to AI innovation. She concluded by thanking the witnesses for their participation and looking forward to their insights.
