Bill “Cassandra” Gates has a warning about AI. And, yes, we should consider it as more than an effort to distract from the Epstein files.
The tech prophet bleats AI will transform work, eliminate jobs, and disrupt everything from health care to education. So, what’s the biggee? Think Nepalese flood – America ain’t moving fast enough to prepare for what comes next.
That should make Federal IT leaders sit up.
The Beltway loves an AI strategy. We have frameworks. Roadmaps. Task forces. Working groups. Probably a subcommittee studying whether we need another working group.
Meanwhile, like the flood waters, AI’s on the move in government and our society. Federal agencies are already putting AI to work. Cybersecurity. Data analysis. Customer service. Software development. Decision support.
The opportunity is enormous – but so is the risk.
If AI can make government faster, great. But faster bad decisions are still bad decisions. Just with better latency.
Gates has suggested creating “Human Reserved” areas where people remain firmly in control. That’s worth debating – quickly – particularly for national security, health care, benefits, and other high-consequence decisions.
For America, the stakes are bigger than federal IT.
The countries that lead in AI will win. The Hill doesn’t get it. While they’re looking for a new roadmap, they wouldn’t know if they have it the right way up anyway.