Are we DOGE-ing government efficiency wrong? All signs point to an urgent need for transformation, and no, it’s not just about putting government services on the blockchain or using meme coins to pay taxes. In 2025, digital transformation is no longer a buzzword—it’s a hard requirement as more agencies attempt to drag clunky, paper-based and legacy-bloated payment systems into the digital age. PayIt highlights that by this year, less than half of U.S. agencies still accept checks, with nearly forty percent signaling they plan to discontinue paper payments entirely. Residents are voting with their thumbs: digital wallets and mobile apps have replaced envelopes and stamps for nearly three-quarters of government service payments nationwide.
But efficiency isn’t just about slick payments. According to an initiative showcased at the 2025 Oklahoma Digital Government Summit, true modernization requires everything from advanced artificial intelligence to citizen-centered workflows. Oklahoma’s approach focuses on moving core platforms to the cloud, consolidating portals for seamless customer experiences, and investing in AI-driven self-service assistants. These systems are already assisting with tasks like responding to tax questions instantly, cutting down call volumes, and reducing the strain on front-line staff. The summit also emphasized training a future-ready workforce and designing with accessibility and inclusion from the ground up—a reality especially important as today’s public sector organizations must serve residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Meanwhile, on the federal stage, the recent executive order dubbed “America by Design” marks a turning point for how government approaches user experience. Carahsoft reports that standardized digital design will now be the norm, with a new Chief Design Officer tasked with modernizing every agency website and physical touchpoint. The mandate is clear: eliminate duplicative legacy systems, foster trust with consistent, high-quality service design, and dramatically improve the experience for every resident, whether they’re applying for a license or navigating the tax portal.
Despite these advances, Americans still rank digital government experiences below their expectations. That signals we may still be DOGE-ing it wrong—not for lack of trying, but perhaps by underestimating the importance of collaborative leadership, transparent goals, and relentless focus on accessibility and design thinking. The future isn’t just faster or digital-by-default—it’s about aligning technology with the everyday needs of people.
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