The explosive growth of AI in the Pentagon: the number of users increased by 1775% in six months
The U.S. Department of Defense is demonstrating unprecedented rates of artificial intelligence adoption. Over the past six months, the number of department employees using commercial AI tools has surged from 80,000 to 1.5 million — a 1775% increase. This was stated by Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael at a Hudson Institute event. With a total workforce of 3.5 million people, this means nearly 43% of personnel are already actively using neural networks in their work.
Revolution in Bureaucracy: AI Cuts Reporting Time by 40 Times
One of the most illustrative cases is the preparation of mandatory reports for Congress. According to Michael, AI can compile a draft of such a document in just five hours, whereas previously it took 200 hours of work by an entire team. Efficiency is also confirmed by practical experience: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology Foundations Jacob Glassman tasked an understaffed team with using the GenAI.mil platform to prepare a report. A week later, specialists presented a finished document, calling it the best in the last five years.
Strategic Alliances and Historical Context
The Pentagon has already formed partnerships with leading tech giants — SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle — for operational use of AI tools. Notably, the adoption of artificial intelligence in U.S. government structures began as early as the 1960s, when initial experiments aimed to solve logistical problems. However, the real impetus for practical application came from the AI in Government Act, passed in 2020 under President Donald Trump.
The Flip Side of the Coin
Despite impressive metrics, the U.S. Government Accountability Office warned in March 2026 about the risks of expanding neural network use in the public sector. Among the main threats are the generation of false information and unauthorized access to data. Additionally, in May, reports emerged about the Pentagon creating a group to implement hacking AI models, raising further security concerns.
Analytical Commentary: A 1775% increase in six months is not just a technological but an organizational breakthrough. However, such rapid AI adoption in structures responsible for national security requires strict verification protocols. The market should closely monitor how the Pentagon balances efficiency and risks — this experience will set a precedent for all government entities pursuing digital transformation.