At a recent federal hearing concerning AI’s role in government, Bruce Schneier, a noted security expert, brought focus to risks overlooked by others. While many highlighted AI’s potential, Schneier warned about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a former initiative led by Elon Musk. DOGE’s practices, according to Schneier, risk data being exfiltrated and handed over to private companies. He noted that this jeopardizes not just government databases, but also national security. Schneier cautioned that adversaries may have access to sensitive data due to lax security controls. Highlighting the implications, he argued that prioritizing AI efficiency over cybersecurity could lead to catastrophic consequences, impacting judicial and banking systems. Schneier’s concerns were notably absent from the official summary of the event, emphasizing the tension between AI optimism and security realities.