The officials working under the Trump administration have told some of the US government employees that Elon Musk’s DOGE is using AI to surveil at least one federal agency’s communication. DOGE, according to what the sources say, is using artificial intelligence to surveil hostile conversations against Trump and Musk. It is definitely an extraordinary use of technology to identify expressions of perceived disloyalty in a workforce already affected by cost-cutting and layoffs. If you are someone who wants to know more about Musk using AI to snoop on US federal workers, the following article is for you.
Musk’s DOGE Using AI to Snoop On U.S. Federal Workers: Reported Use Of Signal App
According to the sources, DOGE is also using the Signal app for communication. It can actually be considered a potential violation of the federal rules of record-keeping. This is mainly because conversations on the Signal app can disappear within a set period. DOGE is also using Grok heavily in its work. The use of AI and Signal has raised concerns regarding government ethics. According to the experts, Elon’s DOGE is operating with limited transparency. They also believe Musk may use information gathered with the help of AI for his own interests or to go after their political targets. The White House, DOGE, as well as Musk, haven’t responded to requests for comments on the claim.
Also read: Trump Says Pharmaceutical Tariffs Will Be Announced Soon: Possible Impact On The Industry
What Kathleen Clark Said About The Claim?
Kathleen Clark, who is a government ethics expert currently working at Washington University in St. Louis, explained how Elon’s DOGE using the privacy-focused app Signal only increases concerns over data security. This claim from the sources came right after Trump administration officials were strongly criticized after the accidental inclusion of a journalist in a group chat about high-level planning for military operations in Yemen. Clark mentioned how the department’s activities are unlawful if they are really using Signal and not backing up every message to federal files.
Is AI Really Going To Monitor Communications?
According to the sources, the officials working under Trump’s administration told the managers at the Environmental Protection Agency that Elon Musk was rolling out AI to monitor workers. It is going to seek out any conversation having language that might come out as hostile against Trump and Musk. EPA has been subjected to heavy scrutiny since Trump’s administration took over the White House. Around 600 EPA employees have already been laid off, and the administration will eliminate 65% of the EPA’s budget.
The sources who are familiar with the matter said AI is being used to monitor Microsoft Teams as well. It is the platform that agencies use for virtual calls and chats. Another source said that they were told that they were looking for anti-Trump or anti-Musk language. A manager was also cited, saying the employees must stay careful about what they say, type, or do.
However, in an official statement, the EPA clarified it is looking at AI to better optimize agency functions and administrative efficiencies. It did not mention using AI in its statement. The agency added in its statement that it makes personnel decisions in concert with DOGE. The statement, however, did not address the reports that claim DOGE is using AI to surveil workers.
Musk’s Suggestion To Use AI As A Replacement For Federal Workers
Before the election, Elon Musk made a statement suggesting the use of AI as a replacement for federal workers. Musk’s plan, the sources said, was to build one of the most dynamic AI systems using government data. It also includes teaching AI models to automate some of the work federal workers are doing. Musk is currently prohibited under ethics laws from involving himself in government activities that would benefit him or his companies.
