Tag Archives: artificial intelligence

AI and National Security

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) can greatly improve human efficiency and deliver insights that drive decision-making. However, for all of its benefits, AI also introduces security risks both for the organizations that are using it and for the nation at large. The National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence, released in the fall of 2024, details national security strategy and policy toward AI. While this particular guidance is aimed at agencies directly involved in national security, its three high-level policy objectives should be part of every agency's AI strategy.

  1. Maintain U.S. leadership in the development of advanced AI systems

A key focus is on not just using AI but driving responsible AI development. To do so, the U.S. needs an AI-capable workforce. This means having the experts that develop the technology as well as training the operational and tactical workforce in how to best use it. Continue reading →

How Schools Are Welcoming AI in the Classroom

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With each passing school year, teachers of kindergarten through college classes have dealt with the increasing ubiquity of AI in their students' lives. The mass availability of AI tools initially caused educators great concern. Would students use AI to cheat or find shortcuts on tests and homework? Would AI eliminate the need to learn certain skills, the way widespread GPS use reduced the need for map reading. However, many educators have risen to the challenge of AI's presence and influence by embracing it as a learning tool.

Deepening the Learning Experience

AI tools have made curriculum materials more available and accessible to educators, allowing them to expand beyond simple question-and-answer worksheets. Now, they can use AI to create more personalized lessons, allowing each student to complete assignments that correspond with both their deficiencies and their strengths. If a student is struggling to understand a concept, the teacher can direct them to online chatbots and tutors that will help explain the concept in different ways. Teachers can also use question generators to create custom assessments, helping them more accurately measure students' knowledge by coordinating the assessments with their individual learning styles. Continue reading →

How Government is Acquiring AI

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Just as cloud computing upended how government buys technology, agencies are now having to adapt to acquire fast-evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technology. AI is proving to be a key tool in helping government improve the efficiency and connection of its workforce and deliver improved service to citizens, but the promises of this new technology come with risks. To ensure AI solutions are secure and ethically designed, agencies are implementing a number of guardrails to ensure the safe and effective use of powerful technology.

How to Use AI

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) developed a policy document to harness the benefits and mitigate the risks of AI for Federal agencies. This guidance provides details on how to use AI securely and effectively with a focus on five key areas: risk management, transparency, responsible innovation, workforce, and governance. Continue reading →

AI’s Role in Higher Ed

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Higher education is at an interesting inflection point. While there has been much talk about the increasing cost for students, educational institutions are not necessarily reaping the benefits of these higher prices. Colleges and universities are seeing enrollment numbers decrease due to affordability concerns and a general decline in population. Additionally, the rise of the gig economy and online degree options, as well as the willingness of employers to hire and train people without college degrees for in-demand jobs in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), are all impacting the perceived necessity of advanced education.

Show Me the Data

While AI careers may no longer require a four-year degree, AI technology is proving to be invaluable in supporting the growth and success of higher education institutions. With all of the outside pressures, colleges and universities need to take a serious look at all the data they hold to determine the cost and ROI of the programs they offer, from degree options to sports teams to housing options. Information about student demographics, student performance, program revenues, and operational costs are all held in siloed systems. AI can help collate all of these disparate data sets, making connections that would take teams of humans months or years to discover. Continue reading →

Next Gen Tech Needs Next Gen Acquisition

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The speed at which technology evolves presents many challenges for the federal government, the first being the actual acquisition of solutions. Government procurement processes and policies have had to adjust and evolve to enable agencies to buy and implement the emerging technologies that support their mission.

Utilizing Existing Platforms

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) may be the largest and most visible example of this evolution, allowing agencies to securely acquire cloud solutions. The program is being used as a platform to ensure that other transformative technologies, like the cloud, can securely make their way into government systems. The Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework provides guidance on how cloud service providers can request their emerging tech-powered products be prioritized and then implemented. The initial focus will be on artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, focusing on chat interfaces, code generators and debugging tools, image generators, and associated application program interfaces. Continue reading →