Science & Technology

Overview

Policymakers need reliable, timely science and technology information as rapid developments affect the economy, national security, and more.

GAO’s Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team provides this critical information in several ways. Technology assessments outline the potential of emerging products and processes and offer policy options for promoting the advancement of the technology or regulating its effects on society. Additionally, reports document progress on federal agency objectives related to science and technology, including preventing inappropriate foreign influence on U.S. research, maintaining the science and tech workforce, and ensuring responsible spending on major science projects.

Topics

We communicate accurate, balanced, and timely information through four types of publications: two-page Science & Tech Spotlights, in-depth technology assessments, “On the Horizon” trend papers, and audits of federal agencies. Our first trend paper explored gene editing, manufacturing in space, and biodegradable plastics. Other topics we’ve studied include:

Artificial intelligence, automation, and machine learning. Whether you think AI is the next industrial revolution or the latest tech bubble, there's no denying its impressive capabilities. There's also no ignoring its cost or its potential for bias and error. Our team has done extensive work in this area, including:
- Our testimony about how GAO and other agencies use AI
- Our framework for AI accountability
- Our technology assessments on AI in natural hazard modeling and on machine learning to assist medical diagnosis
- Our audit of homeland security uses of AI
- Our Spotlights on combating deepfakes, digital twins, and generative AI

Brain-computer interfaces, gene editing, and extended reality. These technologies blur the division between human and machine. They could offer better training, help for people with disabilities, and new therapies, though there are safety, ethical, and regulatory concerns. Check out our Spotlights on brain-computer interfaces, wearable tech in the workplace, synthetic biology, and extended reality.

Climate technologies. Changes in Earth's climate are likely to affect natural resources, infrastructure, national security, and more. We keep Congress up to date on relevant topics and innovations, including our recent work on wind energy, precision agriculture, the status of carbon capture technologies, and biorecycling.

Quantum computing and national security. Scientific and technological advances can have significant implications for national security, transportation, space systems, and more. Our work on quantum, for example, includes a Spotlight on data security for a post-quantum world, an assessment of the status of quantum computing and communications, and an audit of quantum workforce planning. We discuss other tech advances in our report on investigating illegal uses of chemical weapons and in our Spotlights on directed energy weapons, drone swarms, and counter-drone technologies.

Artificial Intelligence Use Cases

GAO recognizes the substantial promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve government operations, and we see firsthand how agencies are planning, governing, designing, and monitoring AI use cases. GAO is also building its own capacity as AI technologies continue to evolve at a rapid pace.

This table provides an overview of current AI use cases at GAO and will be updated periodically.

Innovation and Research Oversight

We evaluate government performance on science and technology to identify improvements, ensure transparency, and save money. This oversight work helps to ensure that federal agencies effectively, efficiently, and equitably manage and fund their programs. We cover the full life cycle of discovery and innovation, from basic research to manufacturing and commercialization. We also address issues such as intellectual property protections and increasing global competitiveness. Our team focuses on the oversight areas of greatest interest to Congress and that best support the effectiveness of the federal government’s role in science and technology, including:

Protecting U.S. research from foreign theft. America's status as a global leader in science and technology makes us a target of foreign governments seeking to acquire our research and technology, both legally and illegally. Our work informs Congress about how to improve data about research funding sent abroad and how to strengthen research collaboration programs to better assess and address security risks. Learn more about our work on federal research oversight.
Supporting the innovation economy. We assess programs that promote innovation in fields like advanced manufacturing, as well as federal policies that protect intellectual property. For example, we have reported on improving the integrity of trademarks, on how various federal agencies contribute to drug development, and on small business research assistance.

Better Government Through Science and Technology

We help federal agencies improve management of their programs to achieve their goals, and we bolster the analytic capabilities of other Inspectors General and oversight groups. This work is especially geared toward government-wide research and development of complex, technically advanced systems.

Improving government management. Our work provides agencies across the government with best practice guides to help them better understand whether government programs are as effective and efficient as possible. We have issued guides on cost estimating, schedule assessment, agile software development, and technology readiness.
Fostering new ideas through GAO's Innovation Lab. We continue to bring new digital capabilities and evidence-based policymaking techniques to GAO and Congress through our Innovation Lab. As the only entity of its kind within the legislative branch, the Lab explores emerging technologies such as AI, cloud services, blockchain, zero trust architecture, and extended reality. The Lab combines data science and digital tools to enhance policymaking. The Lab's web-based resources include GAO’s Antifraud Resource and the ID Verification Controls Simulator.

Networking & Collaboration

We partner with many organizations to share information and stay ahead of emerging issues. We collaborate with national and global partners, including respected scientific institutions and international audit bodies. Our staff speak at conferences nationwide and globally, to build awareness of our work with policymakers and the public. Additionally, STAA hosts regular meetings of the Polaris Council, an interdisciplinary group of leaders and key experts who advise us on science and technology issues facing Congress.

For a more detailed look at the team, see our 2024 testimony on artificial intelligence, 2022 update, 2021 testimony, 2020 testimony, and 2019 plan.