Thomas Shedd Outlines ‘AI-First’ Vision for GSA, Aims for ‘Startup Software Company’ Model

Washington, D.C. – In a significant shift for the federal government, the General Services Administration (GSA) is embracing an “AI-first” approach under the leadership of its newly appointed Technology Transformation Services (TTS) director, Thomas Shedd.

Shedd, a former Tesla engineer and close associate of Elon Musk, outlined his vision for the agency during a recent meeting with GSA staff. He emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the government’s operations and service delivery.

“We need to be an AI-first agency,” Shedd told employees. “AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we work and interact with the public.”

Shedd’s vision for GSA is to create an agency that operates like a “startup software company,” with a focus on innovation, agility, and customer-centricity. He believes that AI can play a pivotal role in achieving these goals.

“We need to be able to move quickly and adapt to the changing needs of our customers,” Shedd said. “AI can help us do that by automating tasks, providing insights, and improving our decision-making.”

Shedd’s vision for GSA has been met with mixed reactions within the agency. Some employees are excited about the prospect of embracing AI, while others are concerned about the potential impact on their jobs.

However, Shedd is confident that his vision will ultimately benefit GSA and the federal government as a whole.

“I believe that AI has the power to make government more efficient, effective, and responsive,” Shedd said. “I’m excited to lead GSA into this new era of innovation.”