US Government Accountability Office’s Testimony on Data Quality and AI, Explained
- Abhivardhan

- Apr 15
- 4 min read

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) testimony before the Joint Economic Committee highlights a critical challenge facing the federal government: how to leverage artificial intelligence to combat fraud and improper payments while ensuring data quality and workforce readiness. This analysis examines the intricate relationship between data quality, skilled personnel, and AI implementation in government settings, drawing insights from the GAO's extensive research and recommendations.
The Magnitude of the Problem: Fraud and Improper Payments
The federal government faces staggering financial losses due to fraud and improper payments. According to GAO estimates, fraud costs taxpayers between $233 billion and $521 billion annually, based on fiscal year 2018-2022 data1. Since fiscal year 2003, cumulative improper payment estimates by executive branch agencies have totaled approximately $2.8 trillion. The scale of this problem demonstrates why innovative solutions like AI are being considered.


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