Chief Watchdog Scientist Outlines Barriers to Using AI to Fix Fraud

GAO chief scientist spoke exclusively to The Epoch Times about what it will take to implement AI within government.
Chief Watchdog Scientist Outlines Barriers to Using AI to Fix Fraud
The U.S. Government Accountability Office building in Washington on May 22, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
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Eight months after testifying in Congress about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to combat waste and fraud in the federal government, a watchdog agency’s lead scientist said that idea is a long way off and he’s still waiting for a response from lawmakers.

Sterling Thomas, chief scientist within the Government Accountability Office (GAO), leads the watchdog agency’s research surrounding AI. He told The Epoch Times that he has advised lawmakers that the implementation of AI could drastically decrease fraud and improper payments, but that it faces serious barriers to entry.

Troy Myers
Troy Myers
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Troy Myers is a regional reporter based in St. Augustine, Florida. His background includes breaking, criminal justice, and investigative writing for local news, producing on a national morning newscast in Washington, D.C., and working with an award-winning, weekly investigative news program. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog at the beach.