AI in April (2025)

Written by Emily Wolfteich
Senior Industry Analyst

White House Accelerates AI Adoption with New OMB Directives.

On April 3, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued two memoranda—M-25-21 and M-25-22—under Executive Order 14179, "Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence." These directives replace Biden-era AI policies, and focus on “eliminating bureaucratic hurdles,” promoting the use of American-made AI technologies, and mandating agencies to revise their acquisition procedures within 270 days. The policies mark a significant shift from the previous administration's approach, emphasizing rapid innovation, reduced oversight, and cross-agency collaboration.
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DOGE's Aggressive AI Integration Sparks Controversy.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has intensified its AI initiatives across federal agencies. Notably, a college student, Christopher Sweet, was appointed to lead AI-driven regulatory overhauls at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, raising concerns about experience and data access. Additionally, DOGE is deploying AI agents to automate over 300 standardized federal roles, potentially replacing up to 70,000 employees. These moves have drawn criticism from lawmakers and experts who question the ethical and practical implications of such rapid automation.
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Pentagon's AI Metals Program Transitions to Private Sector.

The Department of Defense's AI-driven initiative to forecast critical mineral supplies has been transferred to the non-profit Critical Minerals Forum (CMF). Originally designed to counter China's dominance in the rare earth market, the program leverages AI to enhance pricing transparency and support Western supply chains. The CMF, comprising over 30 mining and manufacturing firms, aims to expand the tool's global reach while maintaining its strategic objectives.
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Army's Digital Overhaul Incorporates AI for Efficiency.

The U.S. Army is undergoing a significant digital transformation to modernize its infrastructure and reduce costs. By consolidating outdated systems and integrating AI-driven automation, the Army has expedited processes such as updating job descriptions for 300,000 civilian employees—from four months to one week. The initiative is projected to save at least $89 million annually, with further plans to digitize military records retrieval and other legacy processes.
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TAKE IT DOWN Act Advances to Combat AI-Generated Exploitation.

The bipartisan "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks" (TAKE IT DOWN) Act passed the House with a 409-2 vote on April 28. The legislation criminalizes the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated deepfakes, and mandates swift removal by online platforms upon victim request. While supported for protecting individuals, some civil liberties groups express concerns over potential overreach and implications for free speech.
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Draft Executive Order Proposes AI Integration in K-12 Education.

A draft executive order titled "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth" outlines plans to incorporate AI into K-12 education. The proposal includes promoting AI literacy, partnering with private and academic institutions, and integrating AI into teacher training and classroom activities. A White House task force would oversee implementation, emphasizing the preparation of students for an AI-driven future to maintain U.S. global leadership.
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AI in December (2025)

A look at December’s top AI news in government: The House Task Force report, DHS’s DHSChat launch, and the White House’s 1,700+ federal AI use case inventory.

Photo source: Anela R/peopleimages.com via Adobe Stock.

7 Ways BD & Sales Teams Can Use Federal Personas for Competitive Advantage

Explore 7 strategies for BD and sales teams to use research-based federal personas to sharpen pursuit strategy, tailor messaging, boost credibility, and gain a competitive edge in government contracting.

AI in August (2025)

Key AI news from August 2025: GSA launched USAi.Gov for federal AI adoption, the Pentagon’s Advana platform faced cuts and setbacks, and the Army tested smart glasses for vehicle maintenance. Also, the Department of Labor unveiled a national AI workforce strategy, and Colorado lawmakers began revising the state’s pioneering AI Act.

Photo source: rrodrickbeiler via Adobe Stock.

Deep Dive: Department of Treasury

A look inside Treasury’s 2026-era tech strategy: AI isn’t a standalone budget line — but ~$48.8 M funding for a centralized fraud-detection platform points to growing use of chatbots, generative AI pilots, taxpayer services, fraud monitoring, and data-driven automation under its IT-modernization efforts.

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Decoding OMB Memorandums M-25-21 and M-25-22

Explains Office of Management and Budget (OMB) M‑25‑21 and M‑25‑22 — new federal‑AI directives that replace prior guidance, empower agencies to adopt AI faster, and streamline procurement, while aiming to balance innovation, governance and public trust.

Photo source: Lazy_Bear via Adobe Stock.

News Bite: AI Slop, Jon Oliver, and (Literally) Fake News

Examines the rise of ‘AI slop’ — cheap, AI-generated content masquerading as real media — and how it’s fueling viral fake news, degrading digital discourse, and undermining trust online.

Deep Dive: Department of Defense

Overview of the Department of Defense’s FY 2026 budget: $961.6 billion total, with heavy investment in AI, unmanned aerial, ground, maritime, and undersea systems — spotlighting a modernization push across all domains.

AI in July (2025)

Federal AI Policy Heats Up in July: The Trump administration unveiled its “America’s AI Action Plan,” prompting a lawsuit over deregulation and a battle with states. Also featuring: a new defense bill with AI provisions and GSA’s $1 ChatGPT deal for federal agencies.

AI in Government: A Question of Trust

Explores how the use of AI by government agencies raises fundamental questions of trust — weighing the benefits of efficiency, fraud detection and streamlined services against serious risks around bias, transparency, accountability, and public confidence.

Insights at a Glance: May 2025

A data driven rundown of the latest federal AI, policy and government‑tech developments from May 2025.

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Insights at a Glance: March 2025

A data driven rundown of the latest federal AI, policy and government‑tech developments from March 2025.

Policy Dive: AI in the First Week of Trump

Covers the first‑week AI moves by the new administration — from revoking prior federal AI safeguards to launching a sweeping AI‑domination agenda that prioritizes innovation and global competitiveness over prior guardrails.

AI in January (2025)

Explore the new Trump administration’s deregulatory shift, the massive “Stargate Project” with tech giants, the emergence of a high-performing, cost-effective Chinese AI model (DeepSeek), the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Gov, and key ethical priorities set by the NAIAC.