Federal Agencies Turn to AI to Fix FOIA Backlogs
By Jillian Hamilton, ClearanceJobs, Feb. 9, 2026
Ever tried to submit a FOIA request about the status of your security clearance investigation and then heard nothing but crickets for weeks or even months? If you have, you are not alone. Whether you are a member of the public trying to get answers or a government employee buried under a growing queue of requests, the frustration is real. The FOIA system does important work, but just about everyone involved would agree it is overdue for a refresh.
That is exactly the problem federal agencies are trying to tackle with the upcoming NexGen FOIA Tech Showcase 3.0. Recently announced on SAM.gov, the virtual event scheduled for May 12 through May 14, 2026 brings together federal FOIA professionals and technology experts to look at how modern tools, including artificial intelligence, could finally bring FOIA processing into the present day.
The event is being organized by the Chief FOIA Officers Council’s Technology Committee in partnership with the Office of Government Information Services at National Archives and Records Administration and the Office of Information Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice. It follows earlier showcases held in 2022 and 2024, both of which focused on helping agencies address persistent FOIA backlogs, case management challenges, and growing public expectations around speed and accessibility.
Read more here.