Federal workforce trauma is creating a stumbling block for AI adoption
The federal government's efforts to adopt AI are being hindered by low employee engagement and morale following massive workforce reductions. A survey of 11,083 federal employees revealed significant declines in engagement and morale in 2025.
The federal government's AI adoption is being stalled due to trauma caused by massive workforce reductions. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiated actions that led to 348,219 individuals leaving federal employment, resulting in a loss of institutional knowledge and support functions. A survey of 11,083 federal employees by the Partnership for the Public Service found significant declines in engagement and morale in 2025. The survey revealed that the workforce has been 'fundamentally traumatized,' with morale as low as imaginable. The reductions, which included mandatory attrition targets and hiring freezes, have impeded agency performance and made it challenging for agencies to maintain mission delivery. The Brookings Institute expert, Elaine Kamarck, reported that the cuts have 'wreaked havoc across nearly every agency.'
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