Fact Sheet: Eliminating Barriers for Federal Artificial Intelligence Use and Procurement

April 7, 2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Policy Shift: Issuance of revised policies to eliminate bureaucratic barriers and facilitate the rapid, responsible adoption of American AI in the federal government.
Innovation & Modernization: Realignment of federal agency mindsets toward a pro-innovation and pro-competition approach, enhancing agility, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency in public services.
Redefined Leadership Roles: Transformation of Agency Chief AI Officers into change agents and AI advocates tasked with promoting lower-risk AI innovations, mitigating risks for high-impact applications, and advising on strategic AI investments.
Streamlined AI Acquisition: Introduction of guidance (M-25-22) to acquire best-in-class American AI systems, promote a competitive marketplace, eliminate burdensome reporting, and safeguard against vendor lock-in.
High-Impact AI Oversight: Establishment of a “high-impact AI” category requiring enhanced due diligence, with accountability processes modeled after existing IT governance frameworks to protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Real-World Applications: Examples include the Department of Veterans Affairs using AI for patient care and cancer screening, the Department of Justice leveraging AI for public safety and drug market analysis, and NASA employing AI on the Mars2020 Rover to optimize navigation and scientific discovery.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s emphasis on AI innovation and reduced bureaucratic restrictions could lead to rapid changes in federal AI policies, impacting how educational institutions like Vanderbilt University engage with federal agencies and procure AI technologies.
There is a potential risk that the focus on AI could divert federal funding and attention away from traditional educational programs, affecting research funding and collaboration opportunities for universities.
The redefinition of Chief AI Officer roles and the introduction of AI adoption maturity assessments may require Vanderbilt to adapt its AI-related programs and research to align with new federal standards and expectations.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in AI policy could affect its partnerships with federal agencies, particularly in terms of compliance with new AI procurement and usage guidelines.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Data Science Institute may see increased demand for expertise in AI innovation and policy implementation, presenting opportunities for collaboration with federal agencies.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering could benefit from the focus on AI, as it may lead to new research and development opportunities in AI technologies and applications.
The Office of Research might need to adjust its strategies to accommodate changes in federal AI funding priorities and ensure compliance with new AI procurement guidelines.
Vanderbilt’s partnerships with federal agencies for AI research and development may need to be reevaluated to ensure alignment with the new AI policies and standards.

Financial Impact

The shift towards AI innovation and reduced bureaucratic restrictions could impact the funding landscape for AI research, potentially leading to increased financial support for AI-related projects at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize AI innovation and adoption. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in AI technologies and applications, particularly through collaborations with federal agencies like NASA and the Department of Justice.
As AI becomes more prevalent in federal policies, there could be a shift in the focus of research and development at Vanderbilt, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution for AI-related programs.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should establish a task force to monitor and engage with federal AI policies, ensuring the university aligns its AI research and development with national priorities. This will help Vanderbilt secure federal support and funding for AI initiatives.
Peabody College of Education and Human Development should explore opportunities to integrate AI into educational programs, leveraging the federal push for AI adoption to enhance learning and teaching methodologies.
The School of Engineering should focus on developing AI technologies that align with federal priorities, such as national security and economic competitiveness, to attract federal grants and partnerships.
Vanderbilt’s Medical Center should consider adopting AI tools similar to those used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve patient care and diagnostic accuracy, potentially leading to collaborations and funding opportunities.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the societal impacts of AI policies, providing insights that can inform public discourse and policy-making, enhancing Vanderbilt’s role as a thought leader in AI ethics and governance.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt University to position itself as a leader in AI innovation by aligning its research and development efforts with federal priorities, potentially increasing its influence and securing additional funding.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the federal emphasis on AI by developing partnerships with government agencies and private sector leaders, enhancing its research capabilities and expanding its impact in AI-related fields.
The focus on AI in healthcare offers Vanderbilt’s Medical Center an opportunity to innovate in patient care and diagnostics, potentially leading to improved outcomes and new research collaborations.
By engaging with the federal AI initiatives, Vanderbilt can enhance its educational programs, preparing students for careers in AI and related fields, thereby increasing its attractiveness to prospective students.
The university can host conferences and workshops on AI policy and innovation, establishing itself as a hub for AI thought leadership and fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order presents significant opportunities for Vanderbilt to align with federal AI priorities, requiring major process changes to capitalize on these opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A — No explicit deadlines or enforcement delays were provided in the directives.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

White House Office of Management and Budget: Tasked with coordinating revised AI policies and facilitating modernization efforts in federal operations.
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology: Works in tandem with the OMB to implement responsible AI use and drive technological innovation across federal agencies.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Utilizes AI to enhance patient care and improve diagnostic processes, such as lung cancer screenings.
Department of Justice (DOJ): Employs AI to bolster public safety efforts and enhance investigations related to illicit drug activities.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Uses AI for mission-critical applications like optimizing rover navigation on Mars and enhancing scientific discovery.

Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3-5 federal agencies are explicitly impacted by the directive.)

Responsible Officials

White House Office of Management and Budget – Coordinating the issuance of revised AI policies in tandem with the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology.
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology – Partnering with OMB to guide the implementation and strategic direction of federal AI innovation.
Agency Chief AI Officers – Redefined to act as change agents within their respective agencies, tasked with promoting agency-wide AI adoption and innovation.
Federal Agencies (including the VA, DOJ, and NASA) – Responsible for applying the new AI procurement and usage directives to enhance agility, efficiency, and innovation.

Relevance Score: 5 (This directive originates from high-level White House officials and directs agency leadership and senior change agents, significantly impacting federal policy implementation.)