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A year after ChatGPT burst into the world, a once wary Beltway establishment sees it as a tool for real government efficiency.

Why it matters: These are dreams made of, say, faster passport renewals or AI ferreting out tax cheats — and of contractors cashing in on a new Washington boom.

What I'm hearing: The talk of the town has flipped from fears of the singularity to an embrace of chatbots.

Blanket bans are out. Instead, President Biden recently ordered agencies to hire chief AI officers and provide employees "access to secure and reliable generative AI."

Use cases abound. Northern Virginia's tech corridor is building tools to process government paperwork faster than pencil pushers.

Spy chiefs want AI to one day help space satellites repair themselves.

Contractors are raring to harness the uber-computing power for new surveillance tools.

Dinner party talk invariably turns to an AI arms race with China.

They are winning on producing STEM graduates, Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth said earlier this week at a cocktail conversation about AI. The U.S. has more AI startups, the White House recently noted.

What they're saying: "We have to have AI," says Whitworth, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Much of its work involves taking photos of Earth from space.

Turns out, AI is great at processing those images. And when trained properly, it can flag anomalies. "It's not going to get tired," Whitworth said at an event held by the Washington AI Network.

State of play: It didn't take long for ChatGPT to show up across the 2.2 million federal workforce.

It began with stories of curious rank-and-file using ChatGPT to draft emails and PowerPoints, mirroring private sector worker bees.

It grew to tailor-made solutions. Last week, McLean-based software company Appian announced it sprinted to build a contract-writing tool for the U.S. Army.

Down the block from Appian, Booz Allen Hamilton aims for up to $700 million in government AI contracts.

The big picture: "Chat GPT is ready for duty," Appian co-founder Michael Beckley tells me. "Now the hard work begins with the bureaucracy to catch up."

Right now, a top use case is having AI ingest thousands of pages of legalese and gov-speak. Just imagine an AI bot becoming an expert on something insanely specific — like labor contract clauses for an Air Force task order. It can then spit back out answers and pull up source material. Then a human can make faster decisions.

Steve Jobs once called computers a "bicycle for our minds." AI evangelists see the bots as a machete for red tape.

Yes, but: Could the AI hallucinate made-up regulations or produce a fake PDF file?

By only feeding it specific government documents, the AI bot can base its answers only on the documents it is provided, Beckley says.

What we're watching: AI rules are a hodgepodge across federal Washington. But President Biden's executive order from late October brought more clarity, and more AI permissions.

Take the Department of Homeland Security, for example, which recently declared that staff can use AI for "generating first drafts of documents that a human would subsequently review," according to an Oct. 24 memo.

"I have personally found these tools valuable in these use cases already," Eric Hysen, the agency's chief information officer, told employees.

✍🏼This column is 100% handmade. Or human-made. No artificial brains, chatbots, or humanoids were involved in its creation. Town Talker is a weekly column on local power and money. Send your angry rants to ChatGPT. Send your tips to cuneyt@axios.com

AI is a boon for Washington — and its federal workforce

A once wary capital is embracing AI for government efficiency, and contractors smell dollars.

Illustration of a US flag, but the starts are replaced with binary numbers.

Washington, D.C.

A year after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/chat-gpt-one-year-anniversary-ai" data-vars-content-id="2ca9c62e-3363-4445-8cc1-1ab0b581c4a7" data-vars-headline="AI is a boon for Washington — and its federal workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/chat-gpt-one-year-anniversary-ai" target="_self">ChatGPT</a> burst into the world, a once wary Beltway establishment sees it as a tool for real government efficiency.Why it matters: These are dreams made of, say, faster passport renewals or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI ferreting out tax cheats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-sweeping-effort-to-restore-fairness-to-tax-system-with-inflation-reduction-act-funding-new-compliance-efforts" data-vars-content-id="2ca9c62e-3363-4445-8cc1-1ab0b581c4a7" data-vars-headline="AI is a boon for Washington — and its federal workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-sweeping-effort-to-restore-fairness-to-tax-system-with-inflation-reduction-act-funding-new-compliance-efforts" target="_blank">AI ferreting out tax cheats</a> — and of contractors cashing in on a new Washington boom.

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Data: Metropolitan Police Department. Chart: Axios Visuals

D.C. traffic deaths are up more than 60% this year from the same time in 2022, reaching the highest total in 16 years.

Why it matters: D.C.'s efforts to reduce pedestrian and motorist deaths — known as Vision Zero — have failed so far, despite investments in bicycle lanes, lowering speed limits, and new speed cameras.

By the numbers: As of Wednesday, the city has recorded 45 traffic deaths, including 17 pedestrians and two bicyclists.

This year's overall increase was tied to more driver and passenger deaths.

Eleven drivers and seven passengers have died so far this year, up from five drivers and three passengers a year ago.

Catch up fast: Mayor Muriel Bowser created the Vision Zero campaign in 2015 to eliminate all roadway fatalities by 2024.

In 2015, the city had 26 deaths, down from a peak of 54 in 2007. The number picked up again during and after the pandemic.

Less traffic congestion and an uptick in speeding drivers likely led to the deadlier crashes, per a Vision Zero report from last year.

Zoom in: The District last year lowered the speed limit from 30mph to 25mph in key corridors like Connecticut Avenue NW and New York Avenue NE.

In 2020, the city's default speed limit dropped to 20mph — on streets where no other speed limit signs are posted (think of your typical residential side street).

Between the lines: Changing traffic patterns can take years. A plan for bicycle lanes on Connecticut Avenue has drawn opposition from some residents and businesses, leading D.C. to revise its designs and delay its timeline.

What's next: D.C. is adding speed enforcement cameras to 29 locations this month.

The cameras will be placed in High Injury Network spots — aka traffic areas where DDOT has identified speeding to be a safety problem — across Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast.

By March, 140 new devices are planned, the Washington Post recently reported.

D.C. traffic deaths hit 16-year high

This year's overall increase was tied to more driver and passenger fatalities.

D.C. traffic deaths are up more than 60% this year from the same time in 2022, reaching the highest total in 16 years.Why it matters: D.C.&#x27;s efforts to reduce pedestrian and motorist deaths — known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vision Zero" data-vars-click-url="https://visionzero.dc.gov/" data-vars-content-id="5079aa76-fa59-4381-9468-cdea05f80f72" data-vars-headline="D.C. traffic deaths hit 16-year high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://visionzero.dc.gov/" target="_blank">Vision Zero</a> — have failed so far, despite investments in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bicycle lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2021/12/15/dc-bike-lanes-advocates" data-vars-content-id="5079aa76-fa59-4381-9468-cdea05f80f72" data-vars-headline="D.C. traffic deaths hit 16-year high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2021/12/15/dc-bike-lanes-advocates" target="_self">bicycle lanes</a>, lowering speed limits, and new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="speed cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/11/27/car-speed-traffic-camera-i295-tickets-revenue" data-vars-content-id="5079aa76-fa59-4381-9468-cdea05f80f72" data-vars-headline="D.C. traffic deaths hit 16-year high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/11/27/car-speed-traffic-camera-i295-tickets-revenue" target="_self">speed cameras</a>.

Stephen Gardner's subway is Amtrak. Since becoming CEO of the railroad company in 2022, Gardner spends plenty of time on the trains he runs, boarding them several times a week from Philadelphia to D.C.

Axios caught up with him about how he starts his mornings, on the days he wakes up in Philly.

🎸 Morning ritual: Scan operational report of Amtrak — were the trains on time? Any disruptions? — and, sometimes, sneak in a few minutes playing bass or guitar.

You might not know Gardner got into the D.C. punk scene while growing up as a teenager in Arlington.

In the 1990s, he founded the band Chessie, named after the former Chesapeake & Ohio, Baltimore & Ohio, and Western Maryland railroads. "Locomotive ambience and post-rock caboosery" is how Pitchfork described a 2001 album.

🥛 Breakfast: A big glass of kefir with fruit or toast.

🛵 First activity: Walk or ride a red Vespa to the train station to catch an early Amtrak to Union Station in Washington.

🚆 Train time: Not a quiet car guy. "I might be on phone calls," he says, and touring the cars to see the average rider experience.

"I'm always in coach. The virtue is most of my customers don't recognize me. I get to hear unfiltered what's happening."

🪄1 wish: "I would like to have us start some more service out of Atlanta."

Celebrity baker Kareem "Mr. Bake" Queeman

How I Wake Up: Stephen Gardner's Amtrak mornings

Some mornings, the Amtrak CEO tries to sneak in a few minutes playing base or guitar.

Photo illustration collage of Stephen Gardner inside a red alarm clock.

Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Rail transport

Stephen Gardner&#x27;s subway is Amtrak. Since becoming CEO of the railroad company in 2022, Gardner spends plenty of time on the trains he runs, boarding them several times a week from Philadelphia to D.C.<ul><li>Axios caught up with him about how he starts his mornings, on the days he wakes up in Philly.</li></ul>

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bbA new EPA rule is renewing pressure on cities including D.C. to replace all lead pipes within 10 years.

Why it matters: Before Flint, Michigan, a drinking water crisis over 20 years ago in D.C. increased vigilance and spurred change, but thousands of homes still contain underground lead pipes.

Driving the news: In addition to replacing pipelines, the EPA wants to lower the lead level threshold at which utilities are required to take action and improve tap sampling requirements, Axios' Jacob Knutson reports.

If a water system does have high levels of lead, the proposal would also require the utility company to make water filters available to all consumers.

Between the lines: The EPA said funding for the project will partly come from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

The legislation included $15 billion for lead service line replacement and $11.7 billion in safe drinking water funds that can also be used to replace pipes, per the EPA.

Zoom in: By 2030, DC Water plans to remove all lead service pipes, which are usually on private property, connecting homes to the public water supply.

An online map discloses addresses with lead pipes and whether homeowners qualify to replace them for free.

An estimated 9,000 homes have verified lead pipes and 12,000 are suspected to have lead pipes, as of last May, according to DC Water.

Flashback: D.C.'s water crisis was worse than the one in Flint, experts say, after a change in how the water was treated at the Washington Aqueduct in 2000 led to water absorbing lead from old pipes.

Of note: No level of lead exposure is safe for humans. Babies and children are particularly vulnerable as lead exposure can cause neurological problems.

D.C. lead pipes under scrutiny as EPA proposes new requirements

Thousands of homes still contain lead lines.

Illustration of pipes in the shape of a p and a b 

Environment

bbA new EPA rule is renewing pressure on cities including D.C. to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="replace all lead pipes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/epa-lead-pipe-replacement-drinking-water" data-vars-content-id="95d77aca-3168-4c93-a7ea-bb6c739e11b8" data-vars-headline="D.C. lead pipes under scrutiny as EPA proposes new requirements" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/epa-lead-pipe-replacement-drinking-water" target="_self">replace all lead pipes</a> within 10 years.Why it matters: Before Flint, Michigan, a drinking water crisis over 20 years ago in D.C. increased vigilance and spurred change, but thousands of homes still contain underground lead pipes.

It's time for runners to start thinking about cherry blossoms again.

Driving the news: The lottery for runners interested in the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile run in April — one day, yes, peak bloom will return — opens Friday.

How it works: The lottery begins at 10am and lasts until 11:59pm on Dec. 15 for the 10-miler on Sunday, April 7.

It starts on the Washington Monument grounds and weaves through cherry blossom sights.

Or you can enter to compete in the "Double Blossom," which gets you into both the 10-mile run and the 5K on April 6. (There is no lottery if you want to run just the 5K, which goes from Pennsylvania Avenue to the National Mall and back.)

Lottery results will be posted on www.cherryblossom.org and emailed to registrants by Dec. 19.

Be smart: Families and friends hoping to run together can enter the lottery as an individual or part of a "Temporary Lottery Group" of up to 10 people.

Lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10-mile run in D.C. begins

The lottery opens Friday at 10am and lasts until 11:59pm on Dec. 15.

Animated illustration of a cherry blossom with arms and legs walking in front of buildings that are all the same height.

Exercise

It&#x27;s time for runners to start thinking about cherry blossoms again.Driving the news: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lottery for runners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cherryblossom.org/pre-race/entry-info/lottery-entry/" data-vars-content-id="fa0c034f-05ff-4704-a27d-3a3990b7d296" data-vars-headline="Lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10-mile run in D.C. begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cherryblossom.org/pre-race/entry-info/lottery-entry/" target="_blank">lottery for runners</a> interested in the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile run in April — one day, yes, peak bloom will return — opens Friday.

Cuneyt Dil

Featured stories

AI is a boon for Washington — and its federal workforce

D.C. lead pipes under scrutiny as EPA proposes new requirements

How I Wake Up: Stephen Gardner's Amtrak mornings

Lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10-mile run in D.C. begins

D.C. traffic deaths hit 16-year high