The Daily Scoop Podcast

Episode Summary: "CDC Targets Agentic AI Use in New AI Strategy"

Date: March 17, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Billy Mitchell covers two major developments in U.S. government technology and policy:

• The CDC’s release of a new artificial intelligence strategy focused on agentic AI applications in public health.
• President Trump’s executive order launching a new anti-fraud task force using enhanced data-sharing in federal programs.

The program emphasizes practical steps being taken by major federal agencies to modernize technology, improve data sharing, and combat fraud at the national level.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC’s New AI Strategy and Guidance

[00:48 – 03:45]

• Strategy Release:
  The CDC has launched a new AI strategy and accompanying guidance for public health officials nationwide. These documents set direction for the agency’s own use of AI and provide resources for broader adoption at the state and local level.

• Agentic AI Focus:
  Notably, the CDC is encouraging the adoption of “agentic” AI – systems capable of autonomously carrying out specific tasks (beyond mere automation or simple summarization tasks).

  • “The publications encourage the use of agentic or deep research AI uses... which the CDC is already tapping into.” — Billy Mitchell [01:27]

• Current AI Use at CDC:

  • Nearly 10% of the CDC’s 100 AI use cases in 2025 were agentic tools.
  • This represents roughly one third of all agentic AI deployments across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

• Strategic Goals:
  The CDC aims to:

  • Promote adoption of agentic AI tools.
  • Empower the CDC workforce to use modern AI solutions.
  • Ensure proper governance and oversight.
  • Support public health, strengthen research and data management, and improve access to critical data sets.

• Guidance for Partners:
  The agency has simultaneously released specialized guidance for state, tribal, local, and territorial health authorities, built from internal CDC experience with agentic AI.

  • "One of the number one asks that the department got from its partners is guidance around agentic AI.” — Travis Hoppe, CDC acting chief AI officer (as reported by Billy Mitchell) [02:45]

• Examples in Action:

  • CDC is already using deep research AI tools to accelerate literature review, data analysis, policy assessment, and other inputs for decision-making.
    • “…CDC is already using a deep research tool to speed up the process of reviewing literature, data, policy and other sources to inform decision making.” — Billy Mitchell [03:15]

2. New White House Task Force on Federal Benefits Fraud

[03:45 – 04:22]

• Executive Order Overview:
  President Trump has signed an executive order creating a new federal task force aimed at eliminating fraud in federally run programs.

• Focus on Data Sharing:
  The task force will aggressively promote data-sharing between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies to clamp down on fraudulent activities.

  • "The EO calls specifically for new measures to improve eligibility verification processes and create controls to prevent the dispersal of improper payments." — Billy Mitchell [03:56]

• Historical Context & Scope:
  The order is partly a response to high-profile fraud involving Medicaid, child nutrition, and small business programs highlighted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Task Force Structure:

  • To be led by the Vice President.
  • Chair of the Federal Trade Commission will serve as deputy.
  • Representatives from key agencies (Treasury, Labor, Justice, Homeland Security, Agriculture, HHS, Education, and others) will participate.

• Mandates:

  • Develop a national anti-fraud strategy for federal benefits.
  • Enhance eligibility checks and payment controls.
  • Dismantle organized fraud networks via enhanced government coordination.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Agentic AI’s promise:
  “The promise of agentic tools for agencies like CDC is that they can go beyond uses like email summarization and prescriptive tasks to take action and move things forward.”
  — Travis Hoppe, relayed by Billy Mitchell [03:01]

• Agency Needs:
  "One of the number one asks that the department got from its partners is guidance around agentic AI."
  — Travis Hoppe, as quoted (via Billy Mitchell) [02:45]

• On Anti-Fraud Efforts:
  "The task force will also be required to promote the facilitation of information and data sharing and coordination between state, local, tribal and territorial governments in the federal government and benefit providing agencies and law enforcement agencies."
  — Billy Mitchell [04:12]

Key Timestamps

• [00:48] – CDC launches new AI strategy overview
• [01:27] – Emphasis on agentic AI uses and statistics
• [02:45] – Travis Hoppe on partner demand for agentic AI guidance
• [03:15] – CDC’s use of deep research AI tools
• [03:45] – White House launches new anti-fraud task force
• [04:12] – Task force mandates on data sharing and oversight

Conclusion

This episode highlights the CDC’s strategic embrace of advanced, autonomous AI systems to modernize public health research and response. The timely release of specific guidance for broader public health partners illustrates a push for practical, scalable tech adoption on the front lines. Simultaneously, the federal government is moving to strengthen anti-fraud operations across multiple agencies through better tech and data-sharing—demonstrating a government-wide recognition of how technology can both improve program integrity and public trust.

For ongoing news at the government-technology intersection, listeners are directed to fedscoop.com.