New GSA Chief Pledges AI-Driven Modernization

Edward Forst, the new General Services Administration chief, seeks to make the agency a “multiplier for efficiency and modernization” as he officially steps into the administrator role. 

Forst, who was sworn into office on December 24, said he will focus on four central priorities for GSA: “right-sizing” the federal real estate portfolio, unifying the federal acquisition system, encouraging more small businesses to work with the federal government and enabling a technology transformation across federal agencies.

“Technology modernization is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a government that intends to meet 21st-century challenges head-on. GSA will play an important leadership role in helping advance the Trump White House’s AI Action Plan,” he said during his hearing before the Senate.  

Forst said the agency will continue to embrace an accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence and automation to improve service delivery and efficiency.

“Through initiatives such as OneGov and the USAi platform, GSA is deploying secure, mission-ready AI tools that streamline operations and improve responsiveness to the public. At the same time, GSA continues to operate the government’s core digital infrastructure, delivering secure platforms for identity, shared services, cybersecurity and cloud modernization under a zero-trust framework,” he added.

The Senate confirmed Forst’s nomination in a 53-43 vote shortly before lawmakers departed Washington for the holidays, confirming him alongside dozens of other Trump administration appointees. President Donald Trump nominated Forst to lead GSA in July. 

“I’m honored that President Trump put his trust in me,” Forst said after he was sworn into the position. He added that over the past several months he has met with GSA employees to understand what is working well and where improvements can be made. “I’m fired up to get to work and proud to start serving in President Trump’s Administration for the American people.” 

Forst most recently served as chairman and partner at Lion Capital, a London-based private equity firm. Prior to that, he spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs, where he rose to senior leadership roles, and later served as president and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield, a global real estate services firm.  

GSA had been without a Senate-confirmed administrator since Robin Carnahan departed in January during the presidential transition. Under the Trump administration, GSA has played an expanded role in consolidating the federal real estate footprint, centralizing acquisition practices, negotiating contracts aimed at saving taxpayer dollars and accelerating technology adoption across government. The agency has also reduced its workforce over the past year, though it recently stepped back from plans to lay off additional technology employees.