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:
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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:
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.
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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.
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.
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:
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 federalagencies 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.
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.
