U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) are seeking information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) on its use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly when it comes to making decisions about benefit eligibility or payment amounts.
The SSA has used AI systems for more than 20 years to help with important tasks such as reviewing and expediting certain disability claims, identifying possible fraud or abuse, and flagging cases with high expected overpayment for additional review.
However, with AI more prevalent now, the Senators want to know to what extent it is being deployed and what the risks are.
“Without the proper structure and guidelines for the procurement, deployment, and monitoring of AI systems, SSA’s use of AI could reduce the effectiveness of its benefit administration processes, exacerbate improper payments, and jeopardize beneficiaries’ financial security,” the senators wrote in a letter to SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “To mitigate the risks associated with deploying AI across its programs, SSA must have strong governance frameworks in place that, among other important aspects, clarify the role of human discretion.”
Specifically, Crapo and Wyden asked O’Malley to provide information on the SSA’s use of AI, including SSA’s risk management frameworks for AI, positions for qualified personnel to develop and oversee AI, and the processes used to expedite disability determinations and appeals.
“As the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the Social Security and SSI programs, we have a responsibility to ensure SSA pays the right benefit amount to the right person at the right time, provides the public with the level of customer service they expect, and is a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, including overseeing SSA’s development and adoption of emerging technology like AI,” they wrote. “To further our understanding of how SSA uses AI systems, we request that you respond to the attached questions in writing by September 3, 2024.”