The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a pressing update to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), highlighting critical recommendations for the regulation and oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) within federal agencies. In a letter dated August 15, 2024, Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro addressed OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar, emphasizing the urgent need for the OSTP to implement key recommendations that will significantly impact the government’s approach to AI regulation and broader technological governance.

GAO Calls for Stronger AI Regulation

At the core of the GAO’s message is a call for decisive federal leadership on AI regulation. The agency urged OSTP to clearly define and communicate the responsibilities under existing regulatory frameworks, particularly those established by OMB Memorandum M-21-06: Regulation of AI Applications.

That memorandum was designed to guide the ethical and responsible use of AI throughout the federal government. However, according to GAO findings, some agencies remain unaware that they have been designated as implementing bodies under the policy. Without clear direction, these agencies risk inconsistent compliance, weakening the overall federal approach to AI oversight.

The GAO warned that the lack of awareness could lead to uneven enforcement, leaving certain sectors vulnerable to risks such as algorithmic bias, privacy violations, or poor accountability. To close these gaps, the GAO pressed OSTP to issue explicit communication and to establish measurable performance goals to ensure agencies follow the memorandum’s requirements.

Broader Priorities Beyond AI

While AI regulation was a primary focus, the GAO’s letter also addressed several other policy areas that require OSTP’s attention. These include climate change risk management, research security, and strategic national planning. In particular, the GAO recommended that OSTP lead improved coordination among federal agencies to mitigate foreign ownership and control risks in U.S.-funded research. This effort, the letter stated, should include better information sharing and consistent safeguards against potential foreign interference—an issue that increasingly overlaps with AI-driven research fields.

Progress and Remaining Gaps

The GAO acknowledged that OSTP has made progress in select areas. These include expanding collaboration on public access to research results and publishing reports on high-performance computing initiatives. Yet, the agency cautioned that these achievements must not distract from the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to AI governance. According to the letter, OSTP must develop implementation plans, communication strategies, and performance metrics that will allow agencies to measure their progress and identify shortcomings. By doing so, OSTP can create a unified framework that supports transparency, accountability, and the ethical deployment of AI technologies across government.

A Call for Leadership in AI Governance

The GAO’s update serves as a direct appeal for OSTP to lead the federal government in regulating AI responsibly. Effective governance, the agency noted, is about more than compliance—it is about maintaining public trust and ensuring that emerging technologies align with ethical and democratic values. If implemented, the GAO’s recommendations could help shape a more consistent national strategy for AI regulation—one that balances innovation with accountability and safeguards against misuse.

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