The federal government's effort to downsize may lead to increased privatization and automation. This shift raises concerns about the accessibility and fairness of services for Americans reliant on government support, per commentary from Brookings.

The issue:  

The core challenge involves significant federal workforce reductions that may accelerate the outsourcing and automation of government functions. Many essential services could become less accessible, particularly to marginalized groups, as over 20 million households lost broadband access this year.

What they recommend:  

No recommendations provided in the commentary.

Go deeper:  

As AI technologies integrate into government services, concerns about bias and data privacy heighten, particularly as previous initiatives for responsible AI use were rescinded. A Stanford University study highlighted that the IRS's AI systems disproportionately targeted Black taxpayers, indicating potential systemic inequities in future implementations. Addressing the digital divide is critical, as disconnected populations risk being left behind as services shift online.

This is a brief overview of a commentary from Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full commentary.