From Policy to Practice: How the Public Sector Should Use AI Now
Written by Raitchel Arnell, MBA, Director of Marketing
The U.S. government has crossed a threshold in AI adoption. In July 2025, the Trump Administration released the AI Action Plan. Just weeks later, the GSA launched USAi.gov, a secure platform where federal agencies can test and compare generative AI tools such as ChatGPT Enterprise, Google Gemini, and Anthropic Claude. Some agencies can access these tools for as little as one dollar in the first year.
The message is clear: AI is no longer a pilot project or a distant possibility. It is a policy priority. Agencies are expected to experiment, contractors are expected to align, and the workforce is expected to adapt.
What the Administration Is Signaling
This administration’s priorities send direct signals to both employees and contractors:
- Acceleration over hesitation: AI should move from “experiment” to “implementation.”
- Workforce training: Employees need literacy and confidence in AI, not fear of displacement.
- Secure adoption: Tools must be tested in government-controlled environments, not open platforms.
- Neutrality in deployment: Agencies will be scrutinized on how bias, ideology, and transparency are handled.
- Contractor alignment: Both large and small vendors will be measured by how well they can help agencies execute the plan.
How AI Should Be Used in the Public Sector
AI has the potential to enhance, not replace, the mission-driven work of government. Its best applications include:
- Modernizing citizen-facing programs: Faster responses, multilingual support, and personalized assistance.
- Streamlining internal workflows: Document summarization, compliance analysis, and policy drafting support.
- Enhancing decision-making: AI-assisted data modeling, scenario planning, and trend forecasting.
- Strengthening transparency: Structured reporting, audit-ready communications, and oversight.
- Training and reskilling: AI-enabled education for federal employees to expand digital fluency.
The point is not whether agencies should adopt AI, but how responsibly and quickly they can do so.
What This Means for Contractors
For contractors, the implications are straightforward:
- Implementation support is in demand. Agencies need expert partners who can help with evaluation, piloting, and secure integration.
- Change management and communications are critical. Contractors who can build employee confidence and shape public trust will stand out.
- Proposal support for primes will expand. Large contractors will seek partners who can demonstrate AI adoption strategies in their bids.
Download an AI readiness checklist, curated for the public sector. Fill out the form below!
Closing Thought
The new administration has made AI a mandate. Federal employees and contractors alike are being signaled to step up: test, adopt, and integrate AI responsibly. The technology is here. The policies are in place. The question is how quickly and effectively the public sector can move from access to adoption.
At ArtForm, we give federal leaders the tools and strategies to deploy AI responsibly — building trust, readiness, and real results.
