#AI #OpenAI #ChatGPT: Could you help to provide transparency on USAID?
I asked ChatGPT:
If you had access to all of USAID’s accounts, would you be able to identify the programs it provides assistance to, and then calculate how much reaches the final beneficiaries which would indicate how much is retained on the route to that?
ChatGPT answered:
Yes, if I had access to all of USAID’s accounts, I could analyze the flow of funds to:Identify all programs receiving USAID assistance – This includes funding to governments, NGOs, contractors, and direct aid projects.
Trace fund distribution – By examining disbursement records, contracts, and administrative costs, I could track how much funding reaches end beneficiaries versus how much is absorbed by intermediaries (government agencies, consultants, overhead, etc.).
Calculate efficiency ratios – By comparing total program funding to what directly reaches intended recipients (e.g., farmers, small businesses, healthcare recipients), I could estimate the "leakage" in administrative and operational expenses.
However, in reality, this analysis would face challenges because:Some USAID funds are deliberately allocated to overhead (e.g., monitoring, evaluation, and salaries).
Subcontracting layers make it difficult to pinpoint how much gets absorbed before reaching final beneficiaries.
Data transparency can be limited—USAID reports funding levels but may not disclose granular transaction details.
Would you be interested in publicly available breakdowns of USAID's spending efficiency? I could help find the latest reports or estimates on this.
I said: Thanks, I certainly would, but for the time being, let’s leave it at that.
ChatGPT said: You're welcome! If you ever want to revisit this topic, just let me know.
Note: The answers are copied exactly from those given to me by ChatGPT
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