How IdeaScale Helps Federal Agencies Comply with New OMB Guidance on Public Participation

New OMB Guidance: Public Trust is Now Central to AI Innovation

In April 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-25-21. This memo aims to speed up how the federal government uses AI. It will focus on innovation, governance, and building public trust. This guidance shows how federal agencies should scale AI responsibly. They need to focus on governance and innovation, but also on building public trust.

One of the key strategies? Public engagement. Agencies must now engage stakeholders early and often. This helps ensure AI systems are fair, transparent, and aligned with democratic values.

Why This OMB Issuance Matters

The OMB guidance isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a directive meant to improve democratic governance by:

• Encouraging co-creation of policies and programs with the people they affect.
• Addressing long-standing equity gaps by reaching all populations.
• Promoting data-driven decisions that reflect real stakeholder input.
• Establishing best practices for digital engagement and feedback loops.

It’s about making government more responsive, more inclusive, and more effective.

OMB M-25-21 sets the tone for a future where federal AI adoption is not just fast – it’s accountable. Among the many mandates, it requires agencies to:

• Solicit public feedback to understand the societal impacts of AI use.
• Address equity and civil rights risks through inclusive engagement.
• Create transparent processes for AI system design, deployment, and oversight.
• Use digital tools to ensure stakeholders – including underserved communities – can meaningfully participate.

Federal AI strategies must now be as people-centered as they are tech-forward.

How IdeaScale Helps Agencies Meet OMB Requirements

IdeaScale is purpose-built to help government agencies operationalize these mandates.

1. Stakeholder Engagement at Scale

IdeaScale helps agencies start public idea campaigns. Citizens, communities, and partners can share ideas. They can vote on what matters most and work together to create solutions.

2. Equity-Driven Participation

IdeaScale supports multiple languages and mobile access. It also offers customizable outreach strategies. This helps make sure that voices from underserved or marginalized groups are heard.

3. Transparency and Trust-Building

The platform lets the public see how their feedback matters. It shows comments, voting features, and status updates. This builds trust by being open.

4. Governance Integration

IdeaScale’s analytics, workflow tools, and audit logs help keep things accountable. They document public input at every step of AI lifecycle decisions.

5. Structured Feedback Loops

Our platform covers the whole feedback process. It includes submission, review, implementation, and reporting. This ensures the transparency and accountability that the OMB needs.

6. Compliance and Security

IdeaScale is FedRAMP-authorized. Many federal agencies use it, so compliance is seamless and secure.

7. Insightful Reporting for Data-Driven Action

Agencies can use built-in analytics and custom dashboards. They help turn feedback into insights. This aligns with the OMB’s goal for evidence-based decisions.

Trusted by Government Innovators

IdeaScale is the top pick for agencies like the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the General Services Administration. They are at the forefront of public engagement.

Final Thoughts

The new OMB guidance gives federal agencies a key chance to change how they connect with the American public. Tools like IdeaScale support compliance. They also empower a new era of teamwork in governance.

Want to learn how your agency can meet OMB requirements with IdeaScale? Book a demo today and see how easy it is to engage your stakeholders the right way.