DOGE feeds sensitive federal data into AI for government analysis
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency reportedly fed sensitive personal and financial data from the Education Department into AI software accessed through Microsoft Azure to review spending. The practice raises concerns about data leaks, cyberattacks, and AI errors, and the team plans to replicate it across federal agencies.
What happened
Representatives from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency fed sensitive data from the Department of Education into artificial intelligence software accessed through Microsoft Azure, according to two people with knowledge of the actions.
The data included personally identifiable information for people who manage grants and sensitive internal financial data. The DOGE team aims to review spending across the department and plans to replicate this process across many federal agencies.
Reported impact
Feeding sensitive data into AI software increases the chances it will be leaked or swept up in cyberattacks. AI can also make errors, for example hallucinating incorrect information when summarizing data.
Index analysis
Many private-sector companies and US government departments have banned workers from using AI on secure materials due to the technology's risks.
Governance controls
Lower-level department staffers were directed by agency leadership to let Musk's teams access the sensitive financial data.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.