Oguntade v. Merit Systems Protection Board

This is a bellwether case for whistleblowing about malfunctioning AI tools in the federal government. In a unanimous, precedential decision, the Federal Circuit held that Dr. Oguntade’s detailed, evidence-based warnings about an AI tool delaying veterans’ benefits processing sufficiently alleged protected disclosures of gross mismanagement. The court reversed the dismissal of his case and remanded for further proceedings. The ruling restores his opportunity to pursue his retaliation claim and provides important guidance for whistleblowers who identify serious flaws in government AI systems.