The U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report on October 14, 2026, detailing challenges the Department of Defense faces in implementing responsible artificial intelligence use. The report highlights staffing shortages and collaboration gaps within the department.
Collaboration Gaps in AI Governance
The Office of the Chief Digital and AI Officer established the Responsible AI Working Council as a collaborative group, but officials said the council did not meet from late 2024 until August 2025. Six of 10 surveyed Department of Defense components reported that sharing Responsible AI resources and best practices would benefit their implementation efforts.
Although meetings resumed in August 2025, the council lacks a charter defining roles, responsibilities, and meeting frequency, risking another lapse. Officials from four components told GAO they faced implementation challenges during this period that would have benefited from collaboration.
Workforce Shortages and Recommendations
According to the GAO, the CDAO Responsible AI Division has experienced staffing shortages that hindered its ability to take further actions. Specifically, officials said that as of February 2026, only three of the 10 authorized positions for the division were filled.
GAO recommended that the Secretary of Defense ensure the CDAO develops and issues a charter for the Responsible AI Working Council and addresses the division's workforce needs. The Department of Defense provided comments indicating concurrence with both recommendations.
What to do
- Develop and issue a charter for the Responsible AI Working Council that outlines roles and responsibilities, includes the CDAO Responsible AI Division and DOD components, and specifies the frequency of council meetings.
- Address the CDAO Responsible AI Division's workforce needs.
Key facts and where they come from
- The Responsible AI Working Council did not meet for several months between late 2024 and August 2025.
the council did not meet from late 2024 until August 2025.
- Only three of the 10 authorized positions for the Responsible AI Division were filled as of February 2026.
as of February 2026, only three of the 10 authorized positions for the Responsible AI Division were filled.
- GAO recommended creating a council charter and addressing workforce needs.
GAO is also making two new recommendations that DOD develop and issue a charter for the Responsible AI Working Council and ensure it addresses workforce needs of the CDAO Responsible AI Division.
