Big changes are coming to the way the U.S. government handles federal employee records—and AI is leading the charge.
In a major move to modernize outdated government systems, the White House has announced plans to roll out artificial intelligence for managing federal employee records. This marks the first time AI will be officially used for federal record-keeping, setting the stage for faster, more efficient processes across the board.
According to Fox News Digital, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is updating its Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), which is the first step toward implementing the AI system. Once finalized, this system will be used to automate and streamline the federal retirement process for over 2.3 million employees—a process that currently takes weeks or even months.
The inspiration for this initiative dates back to President Trump’s executive order in January, which aimed to solidify the United States as the global leader in AI. This executive action emphasized using artificial intelligence to improve government operations and build a stronger future for the American people.
A senior White House official shared that the AI platform—approved under FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program)—has already been tested in a simulated environment with 100% accuracy. However, actual implementation awaits the updated PIA.
Here’s the reality: while OPM has a digital record-keeping system (known as the eOPF, or Electronic Official Personnel Folder), a backup paper system is still in place. Those paper files? They’re stored in a massive underground mine in Boyers, Pennsylvania, which holds over 400 million physical records.
This mine has become a symbol of the inefficiencies tied to legacy systems. Processing just one retirement file can take multiple employees days or weeks, and errors are not uncommon—especially when dealing with faded or illegible documents.
The new AI system aims to eliminate the need for future paper files. It won’t digitize the existing ones, but it will prevent the problem from growing worse.
Once implemented, the AI platform is expected to finalize a federal employee’s retirement in less than a second. Yes, from weeks to seconds. That’s a game-changer for federal workers nearing retirement and the HR professionals who manage the paperwork.
The AI will also enhance accuracy, minimize human error, and free up resources currently consumed by manual tasks. It’s about making government work faster, better, and smarter.
To support this transformation, the White House has created new leadership roles called Agency Chief AI Officers. These officers will guide each federal agency’s AI strategies, focusing on safe AI adoption, risk management, and smart investment.
And don’t worry—federal employees will still have access to and control over their records. They can review and assess their information at any time.
This move is part of a broader vision laid out by President Trump to make the U.S. the undisputed global leader in artificial intelligence. As China continues to invest heavily in AI, the White House is doubling down on innovation to stay ahead.
With AI coming into play, the future of federal employee record-keeping looks smarter, faster, and more efficient. It’s a clear sign that the government is finally embracing digital transformation—and that’s good news for everyone.
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