The General Services Administration (GSA) is initiating a “million hours challenge” to automate internal tasks using its AI tool USAi, following a nearly 40% reduction in workforce since October 2024. GSA Deputy Director Michael Lynch emphasized that this initiative aims to eliminate non-high-value tasks, allowing employees to focus on more meaningful work. The effort aligns with GSA’s strategy of “eliminate, optimize, automate” to enhance efficiency in response to staffing shortages. Additionally, the GSA Labs program is leveraging mid-career employees as an internal consulting group to identify and address operational challenges, hoping to scale successful automation efforts beyond the agency.

Elon Musk: Elon Musk founded and leads SpaceX, an aerospace company focused on rocket launches and satellite technology. As former head of the Department of Government Efficiency, his initiatives drove significant federal staffing reductions, including at GSA where ex-18F staff claimed targeting in firings. Lynch’s prior SpaceX tenure links private-sector tech expertise to GSA’s current AI-driven efficiency efforts.
Michael Lynch: Michael Lynch is the Deputy Administrator of the General Services Administration, appointed in January 2026 after serving in senior executive roles at SpaceX, Eli Lilly, and tech firms like Zedsen. At the OpenText Government Summit, he announced GSA’s ‘million hours challenge’ to leverage USAi for efficiency gains amid workforce reductions. Lynch is leading recruitment for GSA Labs to harness mid-career talent for problem-solving and automation.
General Services Administration: The General Services Administration (GSA) is a U.S. federal agency that manages government-wide procurement of goods and services, federal real estate, and technology initiatives to support other agencies. Following deep staffing cuts since late 2024, GSA launched a ‘million hours challenge’ using its internal AI tool USAi to automate routine tasks and redirect employees toward higher-value work. The agency is piloting expansions through GSA Labs, an internal consulting cohort focused on modernization.

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{
“AI Challenge”: “GSA aims to automate low-value tasks through its USAi tool to increase capacity following workforce reductions.”,
“Internal Labs”: “The GSA Labs initiative mobilizes mid-career employees as an in-house consulting team to enhance agency operations.”,
“Efficiency Framework”: “GSA follows an ‘eliminate, optimize, and automate’ strategy to mitigate impacts of staffing shortages.”
}
`