CDC releases AI strategy, guidance with eye toward ‘agentic’ uses

Source Domain: fedscoop.com

Certainly! Here are 4-8 key points from the article:

CDC’s AI Strategy and Guidance Launch: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled a strategic framework and guidance for using artificial intelligence, focusing on promoting its adoption and ensuring its proper governance.
Emphasis on “Agentic” AI Uses: CDC has made a considerable investment in “agentic” or “deep research” AI tools, which autonomously execute specific tasks. Almost 10% of its AI use cases were agentic tools in 2025, and the agency’s utilization constitutes approximately a third of such deployments within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Public Health Benefits: The new strategy directs the use of AI to support public health efforts, enhance research and data management, and improve data accessibility. It also emphasizes the use of the agentic AI tool “deep research” to expedite literature and policy review.
Guidance for Public Health Authorities: CDC released specific guidance for state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health authorities on employing AI agents for research, based on successful internal experimentation.
Agentic AI Deployment: CDC uses agentic AI, notably “deep research,” to streamline literature reviews and data analysis. Although effective in some areas, it has limitations in others, necessitating expert validation and avoiding use with restricted or sensitive data.
CDC’s Longstanding Use of AI: This is CDC’s first formal AI strategy, though the agency has utilized AI and machine learning in various capacities for decades. This document formalizes existing policies and practices.
Beyond Agentic Uses: CDC’s strategy includes objectives such as developing controls for third-party AI systems, prioritizing enterprise AI solutions, and leveraging recruitment options for AI talent.
Commitment to Technology Evolution: CDC aims to remain at the forefront of AI technology utilization in public health. By continually reassessing AI tools against its operational and research needs, the agency maintains its ability to innovate and adapt to AI advancements.