A mysterious website named AI.gov went live on GitHub for testing purposes, sparking immediate interest.

Despite swift deletion, the project didn't escape media scrutiny.

This AI platform, spearheaded by the Trump administration, was originally scheduled to launch on July 4, the US Independence Day.

Behind this initiative lies an ambitious plan to fully integrate AI into the operational framework of the US government.

1. Early Appearance of AI.gov, Integrating Multiple Leading Models

The story began with a code uploaded by the US General Services Administration (GSA) on GitHub.

Tech media outlets 404 Media and The Register discovered this code repository last week, tracing it back to an early test site named AI.gov.

Although the pages were swiftly removed, mirror data was preserved. The content was sparse, but the revealed ambitions were substantial.

AI.gov will serve as a unified gateway for federal government agencies to adopt AI technology.

The platform will integrate various top-tier AI models, including those from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Amazon's Bedrock platform, and Meta's LLaMA model.

2. Three Core Functions to Foster a Fully 'AI-Powered Government'

According to leaked materials, AI.gov comprises three key modules:

An AI chat assistant for managing daily tasks;

A unified API interface connecting various AI models for departmental use;

An analysis system named Console, used to monitor AI usage and gauge AI tool adoption rates across different departments.

The Console function is viewed as a potential 'surveillance tool' by outsiders, capable of real-time tracking of AI integration across departments. While enhancing management transparency and efficiency, it also raises privacy concerns among employees.

3. Led by a Former Tesla Engineer: Treating the Government Like a Startup

The mastermind behind this plan is Thomas Shedd, who took office in January this year. With a background as a software integration manager at Tesla, he now leads the government's technology transformation team, TTS.

Upon assuming office, Shedd proposed a radical vision: making the entire federal government 'AI-first'.

This involves not only using AI to facilitate office work but also letting AI replace humans in coding, contract reviews, and even decision-making processes.

His idea aligns with Elon Musk's previous vision of a 'Department of Government Efficiency'—leveraging AI for document writing, project reviews, and task completion by laid-off employees.

The emergence of AI.gov has stirred opposition within the US government.

Many employees fear that large-scale AI integration may lead to information leaks, system vulnerabilities, and potential job threats.

Some Reddit users complained:

'You claim to build a digital government, but you're launching this system on Independence Day. Aren't you afraid the data might crash, turning the holiday into a disaster?'

Currently, officials haven't confirmed whether the platform will officially launch on July 4, be delayed, or even canceled.

However, based on the GitHub development pace and leaked content, it seems the platform is nearly ready.

AI.gov represents a bold move by the US government in the AI domain. If successfully implemented, it could serve as a model for government agencies worldwide.