Lawmakers press VA for transparency after claims of outside contractors using AI in VA systems
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Summary
Ranking member and other lawmakers asked VA whether outside contractors or special government employees are inserting AI‑generated code into VA systems and what governance is in place to prevent unintended consequences; VA committed to take questions for the record.
Ranking Member Basinski raised concerns about outside contractors and special government employees using artificial intelligence to write code that may be integrated into VA systems, asking what governance structures exist to ensure safety and oversight.
Basinski cited reports that a Department of Justice special government employee had used AI to write code and suggested that such activity, if true, could have “unintended consequences” for VA systems. She asked VA witnesses whether those contractors had to follow VA governance structures and what qualifications they held.
Jeff Van Bemel said he could not answer detailed software engineering or personnel qualification questions on the spot and agreed to “take that back for the record.” Carol Harris of GAO confirmed that GAO’s inventory work focused on software used by VA employees and did not include the universe of software provided to veterans, and she emphasized that full visibility across all software purchases is important to mitigate shadow IT and similar risks.
The subcommittee asked for written follow‑up on the role and oversight of outside personnel granted access to VA systems and any use of AI in code that is integrated into operational systems. Officials agreed to provide more detailed responses for the record.