DOGE’s GSAi Chatbot Is Shaking Up 1,500 Jobs

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has rolled out its GSAi chatbot to 1,500 federal workers at the General Services Administration (GSA), sparking a mix of excitement and unease. This AI tool, designed to automate everyday tasks, hints at a future where government jobs might lean heavily on tech or shrink altogether.
At a Glance
- What’s Happening: DOGE deployed GSAi to automate tasks for 1,500 GSA workers as of March 2025.
- Key Features: GSAi handles drafting emails, summarizing text, and more, tailored for safe government use.
- Big Picture: Part of DOGE’s push to cut costs and streamline the federal workforce.
- Concerns: Experts worry it’s a step toward justifying layoffs with AI.
What’s GSAi All About?
A Chatbot Built for Government
GSAi isn’t your average chatbot. Think of it like ChatGPT’s serious cousin, customized to meet the strict security needs of the federal government. According to WIRED, it’s already helping 1,500 GSA employees with “general” tasks, everything from writing emails to coding snippets. One worker described it as “about as good as an intern,” churning out answers that are helpful but not groundbreaking.
The tool’s default brain is Claude Haiku 3.5, though users can switch to Claude Sonnet 3.5 v2 or Meta LLaMa 3.2 depending on what they need. An internal memo, as reported by WIRED, boasts, “The options are endless,” promising improvements as more data gets fed in. But there’s a catch. Employees are warned not to input sensitive stuff like internal emails or personal info. Safety first, right?
From Pilot to Full Deployment
This isn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing. DOGE kicked off a pilot with 150 GSA users back in February 2025, testing the waters before going big. Sources told WIRED that new DOGE-aligned leadership fast-tracked the rollout, eyeing a future where GSAi could span the whole agency, 12,000 workers strong. The goal? Boost efficiency and maybe even dig into contract and procurement data down the line.
Why It Matters: Efficiency or Erosion?
The Promise of Automation
Elon Musk’s DOGE crew is all about slashing government waste, and GSAi fits that vibe perfectly. Imagine federal workers zipping through paperwork or coding projects faster than ever. Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer now heading GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS), has been hyping AI as a game-changer since February, per WIRED meeting notes. He’s betting it’ll make the team “results-oriented and high-performance.”
And it’s not just GSA. The Treasury and Health and Human Services are sniffing around chatbot tech too, while the Army’s already using an AI tool called CamoGPT to tweak training materials, WIRED reports. Automation’s creeping into government corners everywhere.
The Layoff Whisper

But here’s where it gets dicey. “What’s the larger strategy here?” an anonymous AI expert mused to WIRED. “Is it giving everyone AI and then that legitimizes more layoffs?” It’s a fair question. DOGE’s already axing jobs. Shedd announced a 50% cut to GSA’s tech branch, dropping 90 technologists in one go. With GSAi stepping in, some folks wonder if AI’s the shiny excuse to trim even more.
I mean, if a chatbot can draft your emails and summarize reports, what’s stopping them from saying, “Hey, we don’t need as many people”? It’s a thought that’s hard to shake, especially with DOGE’s mission to “purge” the workforce.
How’s It Working So Far?
User Vibes: Helpful but Basic
Early feedback’s a mixed bag. That “intern” comparison says it all. GSAi gets the job done, but don’t expect genius-level insights. The memo’s prompt guide shows the difference: swap “show newsletter ideas” for “Suggest 10 engaging topics about sustainable architecture,” and you’ll get sharper results. It’s a tool that needs a nudge to shine.
A Failed Experiment?
Not every GSAi adventure’s been smooth. In February, DOGE operative Ethan Shaotran tried linking it up with the Department of Education. GSA engineers rigged a “janky” server endpoint, but the project flopped, per WIRED docs. Still, it shows DOGE’s itching to spread this tech beyond GSA.
What’s Next for Federal AI in 2025?
This is just the start. If GSAi works out, we might see it or tools like it popping up across more agencies. The dream’s to analyze big piles of contract data, cutting costs and red tape. But the flip side? More job cuts could loom if AI proves it can handle the load.
For now, 1,500 workers are guinea pigs in this grand experiment. Will it revolutionize government efficiency or just thin the ranks? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Conclusion
DOGE’s GSAi chatbot is live, helping 1,500 GSA workers tackle daily grunt work while fueling debates about AI’s role in government. It’s a bold step toward efficiency, but the shadow of layoffs lingers. Want the latest on AI trends? Sign up for our newsletter below and stay in the loop!
Sources: All facts pulled from WIRED’s reporting on DOGE’s GSAi deployment, published March 7, 2025. Read more here (opens in new tab).*
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