Allies of Elon Musk within the Education Department are considering replacing some contract workers who interact with students and parents with an artificial intelligence chatbot. The proposal is part of President Trump’s effort to shrink the federal workforce. The Education Department’s biggest job is managing billions of dollars in student aid.
It uses both call centers and a basic A.I. bot to answer questions. The proposal would introduce generative A.I., a more sophisticated version that could replace many human agents. The call centers employ 1,600 people who field over 15,000 student borrowers’ daily questions.
AI-driven department efficiency plans
The vision could be a model for other agencies, with human beings replaced by technology and contracts reduced in favor of automated solutions. In some cases, that technology was developed by players from the private sector who are now working with the Trump administration. Mr.
Musk has a significant interest in AI. He founded OpenAI and is seeking to gain control of various AI initiatives. At other agencies, workers from the new Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Mr. Musk, spearhead the administration’s cost-cutting plans.
According to technology experts, the use of generative A.I. for Department of Education functions is likely to raise questions about privacy, accuracy, and equal access to information.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
