After decades in development, artificial intelligence is now transforming government in both high-profile and largely hidden ways. Cloud-based computer resources, rapidly advancing algorithms and the explosion of available data are allowing agencies to pursue everything from automated citizen services to mission-centric machine learning.
The White House has made cognitive technologies a cornerstone of its annual research and development priorities, and a bipartisan group in Congress is pushing agencies to do more with AI. But while a growing number of agencies are moving past the hype and into production, the path to practical AI applications is still a winding one.
This FCW Workshop helped map the latest AI developments, the lessons learned by federal early adopters and the challenges that must still be addressed. Topics discussed included:
- AI’s ability to automate low-value work
- Public sector’s AI investment outlook
- Governance questions around implementing AI
- Talent and workforce considerations
- Citizen-facing AI
- Cybersecurity applications (and AI-powered threats)