United StatesPublic sector2023 – ongoingUnited States Space Force
Workforce use of web-based generative AI tools
The US Space Force paused web-based generative AI use over data handling and approval concerns
Problem
Space Force leaders saw generative AI as a way to help personnel work faster. Existing use included Ask Sage, according to reporting based on its founder's account.
Approach
A memorandum dated 29 September 2023 prohibited web-based generative AI tools on government computers without formal approval from the Chief Technology and Innovation Office. Reuters reported data aggregation concerns, while Bloomberg also reported cybersecurity, data handling and procurement concerns. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed the temporary pause and said it would protect service and personnel data while officials determined how to integrate the technology. In June 2024, the Department of the Air Force introduced NIPRGPT, a separate experimental chatbot available to Airmen and Guardians within a secured computing environment.
Results
No published figures
Takeaway
Workforce use had begun before the Space Force resolved its data handling and authorization requirements. The pause was followed by access to a separate experimental environment with specified safeguards.
Categories
- Size
- Large enterprise
- Industry
- Public sector
- Business function
- Internal work and knowledge managementIT and R&D
- Innovation type
- Process innovation
- AI technology
- Generative AIConversational and voice AI
- Adoption
- Off-the-shelf tool or platform
- Evidence
- Press reporting
Sources
Source summaries
Reuters reviewed the September memorandum and obtained confirmation from an Air Force spokesperson. The memo required formal approval for use on government computers and cited data aggregation risks; the spokesperson described the restriction as temporary.
Bloomberg reviewed the memorandum and reported existing Ask Sage use based on founder Nicolas Chaillan's account. It described cybersecurity, data handling and procurement concerns. Chaillan disputed the need for the pause and said his platform met security requirements.
The department announced an experimental chatbot for Airmen, Guardians, civilian employees and contractors. It described a secured computing environment for tasks including correspondence, background papers and code, with feedback intended to inform future policy and procurement.
The acquisition report dated Ask Sage's founding to 2023. Together with the contemporaneous account of Space Force users, this supported dating the documented Ask Sage use to that year.
Full details are in the original sources.