Overview

• The Biden administration recruited over 200 AI experts in its National AI Talent Surge to improve government services like Social Security and veterans' healthcare.
• Under Trump, most of these experts were quickly fired, with only about 10% of the cohort remaining in federal roles as of late April 2025.
• Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency led cuts to the U.S. Digital Service and 18F, driving significant layoffs of tech staff.
• Despite signing executive orders to expand AI recruitment, the Trump administration now faces difficulty attracting talent due to workforce instability and chaotic transitions.
• Experts warn that reliance on costlier contractors and the loss of institutional knowledge will hinder federal AI initiatives in the long term.