DOGE Used AI for Housing Policy. The Government Won’t Say How (www.wired.com)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has reportedly utilized artificial intelligence to inform its policy decisions, but now faces scrutiny for withholding information related to this AI use. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Democracy Forward revealed that HUD has denied access to over 100 documents connected to its AI applications, citing reasons such as a non-existent AI privilege and the presidential communications privilege. These documents include files related to regulatory analysis that imply AI tools were leveraged to identify regulations for potential rescission. However, the specifics of these AI applications remain unclear due to the lack of transparency. This situation raises significant concerns within the AI and machine learning community regarding the ethical use of AI in governmental policy-making. Experts argue that without adequate disclosures, the risks associated with AI—such as bias and inaccuracies—may go unchecked. Current U.S. laws do not require disclosure of AI's role in policy creation, leading to calls for improved transparency to foster public confidence in AI tools utilized by the government. As noted by legal and policy experts, understanding the processes by which AI impacts regulations is crucial for accountability and trust in governmental operations.