Inside the AI Prompts DOGE Used to Munch Contracts Related to Veterans Health

Published: Friday, June 6, 2025 at 9:05 am

AI Contract Review Flawed, Raising Concerns About Government Efficiency

A recent investigation by ProPublica reveals significant flaws in an artificial intelligence (AI) model used by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to review contracts for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The AI, designed to identify contracts that could be canceled, or "munched," due to perceived waste, fraud, or abuse, was found to be riddled with errors and based on unclear instructions.

The AI model, developed by software engineer Sahil Lavingia, was tasked with reviewing VA contracts under a directive from President Donald Trump. The model's instructions, or "prompts," were found to be problematic. The AI relied on older, general-purpose models and was given limited information, often only analyzing the first 10,000 characters of each contract. This led to the AI misinterpreting contract details, hallucinating contract values, and making incorrect determinations about which contracts were "munchable."

Experts cited several technical issues, including the use of unsuitable AI models and a lack of context regarding VA operations. The AI was instructed to classify contracts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as "munchable," reflecting a policy of the Trump administration. However, the prompt failed to define DEI, leaving the AI to make its own interpretations. The AI also struggled to differentiate between direct patient care and administrative support services, leading to the potential cancellation of essential contracts.

The investigation highlights the challenges of deploying AI in government procurement, particularly when the technology is used without proper training, context, and oversight. The VA, however, is standing behind its use of AI to examine contracts.

BNN's Perspective: This investigation raises serious questions about the responsible use of AI in government. While the intention to improve efficiency is understandable, the flawed implementation of this AI model resulted in potentially harmful outcomes. It underscores the need for rigorous testing, expert oversight, and clear guidelines when deploying AI in sensitive areas like government contracting. The VA should prioritize transparency and accountability as it continues to explore the use of AI.

Keywords: AI, Artificial Intelligence, Government Contracts, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, DOGE, Contract Review, Procurement, Sahil Lavingia, ProPublica, DEI, Waste, Fraud, Abuse, Technology, Automation, Efficiency.

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