DOGE using Microsoft Azure's AI bots for sensitive data analysis
What's the story
Elon Musk's team at DOGE is using Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to analyze highly sensitive data, including personal details and internal financial records from the US Department of Education.
The move comes as part of a larger strategy to increase AI usage across all federal agencies.
The initiative has raised concerns among cybersecurity experts and government watchdogs about potential security risks and ethical oversight issues.
Concerns raised
AI's reliability in handling sensitive data questioned
Critics have highlighted that although AI tools are powerful, they can also be unreliable.
They argue that AI's ability to generate seemingly credible results is often marred by its tendency to "hallucinate" or fabricate information with deceptive confidence.
This issue, along with poor data protection measures, could possibly open up vulnerabilities that adversarial nations or hackers could exploit.
Information exposure
DOGE's data analysis extends to student loans
The data analysis by DOGE goes beyond financial records to sensitive student loan information affecting millions.
This has raised security concerns considering the administration's previous lax approach toward data protection.
Critics argue that if national security data is handled so casually, it's unlikely educational records will be adequately protected.
Staff impact
These employees have been affected
The AI initiative by DOGE has already impacted employees in the Department of Education.
Around 100 staff members, many of whom are involved in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, have been put on leave after an executive order from Donald Trump banning federal agencies from discussing DEI topics.
Most of those targeted for suspension are reportedly women and people of color.
Ongoing efforts
Legal challenges fail to slow down DOGE's progress
Despite legal attempts to stop DOGE in its tracks, insiders say Musk's team is moving at an incredible pace.
Even with court-ordered restrictions, DOGE seems mostly unfazed.
An insider explained how recent restrictions on access to Treasury Department payment systems do not work due to vague terms on when access is "necessary."