GAO launches generative AI report series, outlining commercial uses and risks

The Government Accountability Office has released the first in a planned series of reports on generative artificial intelligence, examining how the technology works, where it is being used commercially, and the opportunities and risks it presents. Titled "Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI Technologies and Their Commercial Applications," the report opens a broader GAO effort on generative AI.

According to the agency, future reports will establish best practices, examine the societal and environmental effects of using generative AI, and address federal development and adoption of these technologies. This initial installment provides an overview of generative AI and how it differs from other kinds of artificial intelligence.

It includes examples of current and potential uses across industries such as software engineering, medicine, and education. The report begins by asking, "Why does it matter?" and points to enhanced capabilities and heightened user interest that have helped generative AI reach more than 100 million users.

That rapid growth has fueled debate over whether the technology could transform sectors like healthcare and education, while also raising concerns about national security, environmental impacts, and the spread of disinformation. The GAO indicates additional reports are forthcoming as it continues to assess the technology’s implications, establish best practices, and evaluate how federal entities develop and adopt generative AI.