GSA Advances AI Automation to Save One Million Work Hours

The General Services Administration (GSA) is pursuing an initiative to automate one million hours of workload using artificial intelligence and intelligent automation. This effort, part of the Eliminate, Optimize and Automate (EOA) playbook, focuses on handling repetitive, manual workflows.

The goal is to allow the workforce to redirect time toward serving customer agencies and improving procurement outcomes. Early in 2026, GSA has identified about 400,000 hours for automation, nearly halfway to the target. The automation aims to shift employees from low-value tasks to higher-value opportunities without replacing staff.

This addresses workforce challenges, including headcount losses over the past year.

Innovation Programs GSA launched GSA Labs, a program placing high-performing early-to-mid-career employees into small, cross-functional teams to solve internal problems. The agency received over 300 internal applicants and selected an initial cohort of 30 staff to address five problem statements.

These teams focus on creating interoperable systems and processes, with executive sponsorship. The program is currently internal but could scale in the future. It seeks to develop the workforce, foster innovation, and tackle tough agency issues. GSA solicited problem statements from senior leaders and invited staff to participate alongside their regular duties.

“We have about 400,000 hours that are currently identified of ways that we can — not replace people — but remove that non-high-value added time and replace it by putting people on more high-value opportunities within the agency.”