Until now, layoffs in federal agencies were conducted manually — human resources departments reviewed employee lists and assessed their status, reports a correspondent from Kazpravda.kz citing RIA Novosti.
“DOGE operatives have gained access to AutoRIF — software developed by the Department of Defense over 20 years ago to streamline staff reductions — and apparently, they are editing its code,” states an article from the American magazine WIRED, referencing sources.
AutoRIF (Automated Reduction in Force) was previously used in various agencies to simplify the layoff process. Screenshots of internal databases reviewed by journalists show that developers associated with Musk are making changes to the software code.
Sources at WIRED report that the AutoRIF files were placed in a secure system for storing official documents of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shortly after Trump took office, and code modifications were made just this past weekend.
Until now, layoffs in federal agencies were conducted manually — human resources departments reviewed employee lists and evaluated their status. However, with the implementation of AutoRIF and the use of artificial intelligence, the process could significantly accelerate, the article notes.
“While DOGE may use AutoRIF in its original form, some sources within OPM suggest that Musk's engineers are developing their own software based on it,” the magazine points out.
Musk previously stated that the Trump administration is conducting layoffs among government employees with the aim of transitioning people into the private sector. The New York Times also reported that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of the USA instructed federal agencies to lay off most employees who are on probation.
Musk has previously topped the list of super billionaires.