AI and the Rise of Government Scams


  • Government imposter scams are rising, with losses exceeding $400 million last year.
  • Reports of scams targeting agencies like DMVs and tax offices increased, with victim reports rising over 50% from 2022 to 2024.
  • Scammers utilize realistic communication methods, including spoofed “.gov” emails, to demand payments for fictitious obligations.
  • The use of generative AI tools has made it easier for fraudsters to convincingly impersonate officials.
  • Local governments are urged to enhance public awareness campaigns and implement stronger digital security measures to protect residents.

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UK Government Releases AI Playbook to Revamp Public Services


  • The UK government has launched an AI Playbook to provide guidance for safe and effective AI use in public sector organizations.
  • Created by over 50 experts from DSIT and various government departments, the playbook includes ten principles and covers AI foundations, building, and responsible use.
  • Each section of the playbook contains checklists with practical recommendations for developing AI projects.
  • The government emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth and enhancing public service delivery, planning to invest further through the upcoming Spending Review.
  • Recent shifts include rebranding the AI Safety Institute to the AI Security Institute, focusing on crime and national security concerns related to AI technology.

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Q&A: PA CIO Amaya Capellán on Government AI Use Cases


  • Amaya Capellán appointed CIO of Pennsylvania in July 2023, focusing on human-centered digital experiences for 13 million residents.
  • Under Capellán’s leadership, CODE PA grew to over 30 members, revamping the PA.gov experience and enhancing accessibility and user feedback.
  • A generative AI pilot, initiated in March 2024, showed employees saving an average of 105 minutes daily, supporting tasks like HR position updates.
  • The government launched a grant discovery tool to simplify access to funding opportunities and initiated "Forms That Suck Less" to improve government form usability.
  • Future goals include streamlining procurement processes and sharing insights on AI’s impact at the NASCIO Midyear conference.

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South Korea’s Shift from Digital Platform to AI Government


  • South Korea’s innovative digital government journey is evolving towards an AI-based governance model, as shared by NIA’s Yoo Jae-sin at GovMesh 1.0 in Singapore.
  • The National Information Society Agency is developing a generative AI common foundation to enhance public services, ranking first in the OECD Digital Government Index for two consecutive years.
  • Private sector collaboration is prioritized in AI integration, with guidelines established for adopting large-scale AI solutions and fostering public-private partnerships.
  • Current AI proof-of-concept projects include tools for drafting RFPs and supporting patent examination, showcasing improvements in operational efficiency and public service delivery.
  • Noteworthy AI applications involve training chatbots for public transport staff and a mobile app for young farmers, emphasizing tailored support and customer service enhancement.

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Musk and DOGE’s Grok AI in Government Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns


  • Investigative Journalism: The Independent focuses on critical topics such as reproductive rights and climate change, providing on-the-ground reporting to ensure accurate storytelling.
  • Support for Quality Journalism: Donations support unbiased reporting accessible to all, without paywalls, contrasting with many news outlets.
  • Elon Musk’s AI Concerns: Musk’s Grok AI chatbot is set to expand in the federal government, raising concerns over privacy and conflict of interest.
  • Privacy Threats: Experts warn that utilizing Grok AI could compromise sensitive data, potentially benefitting Musk personally and violating privacy protections.
  • Government AI Policies: New policies during the Biden administration allowed some AI platforms for federal workers, while initiatives concerning Grok AI have sparked debate around ethical implications.

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UK Government AI to Review Public Consultations


  • The UK government has launched an AI system named ‘Humphrey’ to analyze public consultations more efficiently.
  • ‘Consult’, a tool within the Humphrey suite, was tested on cosmetic treatment regulations, reviewing over 2,000 responses and organizing themes effectively.
  • Officials estimate the AI will save 75,000 days of manual analysis annually, translating to potential savings of £20 million (US$26.7 million).
  • Other tools in the Humphrey suite include Parlex for legislative research, Minute for secure meeting transcriptions, Lex for legal analysis, and Redbox for daily civil service tasks.
  • The government is also developing ‘Extract’ to enhance planning data accessibility, promising to accomplish tasks in 40 seconds that typically take 1-2 hours.

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