Elon Musk’s DOGE feeds Education Dept. data into AI systems to identify inefficiencies

By willowt // 2025-02-11

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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is using AI to analyze sensitive data from the U.S. Department of Education to identify inefficiencies and reduce spending.
This marks a significant step in the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal government, targeting the Education Department as an example of bureaucratic bloat.
The DOGE team's approach involves accessing financial data, personally identifiable information and internal records, hosted on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform.
The project aims to weaken the Education Department by eliminating non-essential programs and contracts, potentially leading to its dismantling.
The use of AI in government raises concerns about privacy, cybersecurity and transparency, while also sparking debates about the role of technology in governance and the potential downsides of a smaller federal government.

In a bold move that underscores the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping government operations, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has begun feeding sensitive data from the U.S. Department of Education into AI systems. The goal? To identify inefficiencies, slash spending and ultimately dismantle what many conservatives view as a bloated and ineffective federal agency. This unprecedented use of AI to probe the inner workings of a federal department marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to shrink the size of government. But it also raises critical questions about privacy, cybersecurity and the role of technology in governance.

The DOGE playbook: AI as a scalpel for government waste

According to sources familiar with the DOGE team’s actions, the group has accessed sensitive financial data, personally identifiable information and internal records from the Education Department. Using AI software hosted on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, the team is scrutinizing every dollar spent by the department — from contracts and grants to employee travel expenses. “They have a playbook, which is to get access to the data,” one Education Department staffer said. “And once they’re in, it’s already over.” The DOGE team’s mission aligns with President Trump’s long-standing pledge to eliminate the Education Department entirely. While Congress would need to approve such a move, the administration is taking steps to weaken the agency from within. By leveraging AI to identify non-essential programs and contracts, DOGE aims to render the department incapable of fulfilling its functions. “That’s the way you kill an agency, is you remove all [of] their ability to perform their role,” a source familiar with the DOGE process said.

A broken system: Why this matters

The Education Department has long been a lightning rod for conservative criticism. Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the department was intended to streamline federal education policy. Instead, critics argue, it has become a symbol of bureaucratic bloat and federal overreach. Over the decades, the department’s budget has ballooned, with spending on administrative costs, grants and programs that often fail to deliver measurable results. Meanwhile, America’s public school system continues to underperform, with declining test scores and widening achievement gaps. Conservatives have long argued that education policy should be handled at the state and local levels, where communities can tailor solutions to their unique needs. The DOGE team’s AI-driven audit of the Education Department is a step toward realizing that vision. But the implications extend beyond education. The DOGE team plans to replicate this process across multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By using AI to identify inefficiencies and eliminate non-essential programs, the administration hopes to shrink the federal government’s footprint and return power to the states.

Controversy and concerns

While the use of AI to streamline government operations is innovative, it is not without risks. Feeding sensitive data into AI systems increases the likelihood of leaks or cyberattacks. Moreover, AI is prone to errors, such as “hallucinating” incorrect information when summarizing data. Critics also worry about the lack of transparency surrounding DOGE’s activities. Alondra Nelson, who worked on AI policy during the Biden administration, expressed concern about the unchecked use of AI in government. “Do we want these tools unleashed in government and society without guardrails?” Nelson asked. “There’s a lot of concern and mistrust about the use of AI in American society.” The DOGE team’s actions have already sparked controversy within the Education Department. In January, the team used data on past employee trainings to place roughly 100 staffers on paid administrative leave. The move was in compliance with President Trump’s executive order banning federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Sheria Smith, president of the union representing Education Department employees, noted that the majority of those placed on leave were female or non-White. “There is nothing inappropriate or nefarious going on,” countered Madi Biedermann, a department spokesperson.

A new era of government efficiency?

The DOGE team’s AI-driven approach represents a seismic shift in how government operates. By harnessing the power of technology, the administration hopes to achieve what decades of political rhetoric have failed to deliver: a smaller, more efficient federal government. But as with any disruptive innovation, there are trade-offs. The use of AI in government raises important questions about accountability, transparency and the protection of sensitive data. For conservatives, however, the potential benefits outweigh the risks. By dismantling ineffective agencies like the Education Department, the administration is taking a crucial step toward restoring limited government and empowering states and local communities. As the DOGE team continues its work, one thing is clear: The era of AI-driven governance has arrived. Whether it leads to a more efficient government or a new set of challenges remains to be seen. Sources include: Technocracy.news MSN.com WashingtonPost.com