It’s hard to believe, but 30 years ago, we were debating how the internet was going to transform government. Today, we’re asking those same questions about Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s rapidly evolving and here to stay, whether we like it or not.

While AI can significantly help government functions and potentially save enormous amounts of time and money, there are still a number of cons that need to be addressed. Here are some of the top challenges:

• Potential job loss: This is probably one of the biggest concerns. As AI systems become better equipped to perform tasks traditionally carried out by people, there is a fear that some jobs may become obsolete.
• A skills gap and training needs: Integrating AI into the workplace requires team members to learn new skills and adapt to new technologies. The result can be a skills gap, as not all team members may be prepared for these changes.
• Privacy concerns: A 2024 report by the House Bipartisan AI Task Force flagged privacy protections as a major barrier to AI adoption, particularly for areas like Social Security and taxpayer records.
• The quality and volume of federal data: AI systems need curated and standardized information to function properly and accurately. However, the massive scale and quality of federal data can make this extremely challenging.
• Human oversight to flag mistakes: AI systems aren’t perfect and make mistakes. False positives can delay or deny benefits, such as Social Security payments. Meanwhile, false negatives can allow fraud to slip through. Human oversight, and the training that accompanies it, is a necessity.

Most importantly, AI, despite its many capabilities, can’t offer the same empathy, emotional intelligence and personal connection as a human manager. How is your team handling the adoption of AI in the workplace? Leah M Joppy and Associates is ready to discuss the challenges you’re experiencing and help harness the power of AI to create a positive and thriving workplace.

Call us at 301-351-9523 or email us at leah@lmja.com to learn more.