A 21-year-old college student with no government experience is now leading a major project to overhaul federal housing regulations—using artificial intelligence.
Christopher Sweet, a third-year economics and data science student at the University of Chicago, has been appointed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to work inside the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Despite being on academic leave and lacking prior public service, Sweet has been tasked with leading an AI-driven initiative to review and potentially revise HUD’s regulations.
In an internal email, first reported by WIRED, DOGE staffer Scott Langmack introduced Sweet as a “special assistant,” humorously suggesting a more fitting title might be “AI computer programming quant analyst.” Langmack noted that Sweet speaks Portuguese fluently and has family roots from Brazil.
Sweet’s primary responsibility is to use AI to analyze HUD’s regulatory framework, identify areas where rules may be excessive, and propose revisions or eliminations. He has been granted access to sensitive HUD data systems, including the Public and Indian Housing Information Center and the enterprise income verification systems.
The initiative aligns with Project 2025, a policy agenda promoted by the Trump administration that seeks to reduce federal regulations across various sectors. Sweet has reportedly produced a spreadsheet containing nearly 1,000 entries where the AI has flagged potential regulatory overreach, complete with suggested revisions. HUD staff are being asked to review these recommendations and provide justifications for any objections.
Critics have raised concerns about the involvement of an inexperienced individual in such significant policy decisions. One HUD source expressed skepticism, stating, “It all sounds crazy—having AI recommend revisions to regulations,” but acknowledged the effort to involve real people in the review process.
DOGE did not respond to requests for comment, and HUD declined to discuss individual personnel. The University of Chicago confirmed that Sweet is currently on academic leave.
This development raises questions about the appropriateness of entrusting a college student with the authority to influence federal housing policy, especially given the significant implications for low-income communities and public housing programs.
