GovCIO Media & Research Podcasts

The CDC is taking a major step forward in its approach to artificial intelligence with the release of a new four-year AI strategy, aimed at strengthening public health capabilities and modernizing data use across the agency. Outgoing acting Chief AI Officer Travis Hoppe discussed how years of foundational work have positioned the CDC to responsibly adopt and scale AI technologies. He underscored the importance of balancing innovation with federal compliance requirements, including FedRAMP authorization and rigorous cybersecurity standards, while maintaining strong partnerships with industry and state and local partners. As AI capabilities evolve, Hoppe underscores the importance of agility across federal IT leadership — continuously reassessing tools, guidance and workforce readiness to keep pace with a rapidly changing landscape.

With defense technology constantly evolving, the military services are looking to accelerate the discovery, development and deployment of emerging technologies. The Army launched its FUZE innovation engine last fall to fund promising technologies and move cutting-edge capabilities from prototype to operational use faster. Matthew Willis, FUZE director, said the program aligns with the Pentagon's broader push to accelerate technology adoption and modernize defense acquisition. Willis explained that FUZE consolidates several previously disconnected Army innovation efforts and overlays them with a venture-capital-style investment model. FUZE, Willis said, operates more like a Silicon Valley firm, taking calculated risks early, making multiple small investments, scaling successful technologies and quickly divesting from those that do not deliver results. Willis added that the Army must embrace risk tolerance, make "big bets" on the most critical capabilities and avoid spreading resources too thin.

The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) is accelerating efforts to define the future force through virtual wargaming, edge computing and autonomous systems. Brig. Gen. Simon Doran, MCWL's commanding general, joined AI GovCast to discuss how the lab is identifying emerging threats and developing the concepts and capabilities Marines will need over the next decade. Doran said the lab analyzes recent conflicts, including those in Ukraine and the Middle East, to extract operational lessons and apply them to advanced modeling and simulation. Doran also highlighted the development of the Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis, a 100,000-square-foot facility in Quantico. The center will use physics-based models to test Marine Corps weapons and force design concepts against future threats in a virtual environment. By running thousands of simulated scenarios, MCWL can identify capability gaps and help inform where the Marine Corps should invest to remain lethal and survivable.

The administration's Genesis Mission aims to build an integrated ecosystem that connects supercomputers, AI systems and emerging quantum capabilities, calling on the Energy Department and its 17 national laboratories. Argonne National Laboratory's broad multidisciplinary research portfolio positions it to harness AI to accelerate scientific discovery, Associate Laboratory Director for the Computing, Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) Directorate Rick Stevens told GovCIO Media & Research. Stevens compared the urgency of the Genesis Mission to the Manhattan Project, citing intensifying global competition and rapid advances in AI. He also highlighted Argonne initiatives such as Synapse, which uses AI to accelerate imaging analysis, and Quarks to Cosmos, an effort to integrate large physics datasets to enable new scientific insights.

NOAA is integrating GPS and new gravity data to improve accuracy of its National Spatial Reference System. Guest: Galen Scott, NGS Constituent Manager, NOAA Description: As agencies increasingly rely on data to drive precise decision-making, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geodetic Survey is modernizing the National Spatial Reference System to account for shifts in the Earth caused by tectonic plate movement. It hadn't been updated in 40 years. Speaking at the Esri FedGIS Conference in Washington, D.C., NOAA National Geodetic Survey Constituent Manager Galen Scott said the updated system integrates GPS technology, enabling more efficient methods to locate survey markers and collect field data. Scott said the modernized NSRS will also incorporate new gravity data through a geoid model, improving the accuracy of surface elevation measurements compared with legacy models. He added that NSRS data serves as foundational infrastructure for agencies supporting urban planning, infrastructure development and emergency response efforts.

Tiziana Barrow has built a career around cybersecurity and human risk, leading product marketing across some of the industry's most specialized domains like threat intelligence, OT/ICS security, risk quantification and supply chain risk. She's now channeling that experience into Safer Shift, a personal endeavor to build stories that bridge the physical and digital world with a bias toward changing behavior. She discussed why the most powerful tool for reducing human risk isn't technology, it's narrative — stories that make digital safety habits intuitive, accessible and human. In an AI-driven world, protecting people can't just be an enterprise priority. It has to be a personal one.

Col. Arlon Smith, director of Project Dynamis, discussed how the Marine Corps is working to rapidly deliver artificial intelligence capabilities to the tactical edge. He explained how Project Dynamis is leveraging cutting-edge commercial AI to help warfighters analyze and share data faster in increasingly complex battlefields filled with autonomous systems. Smith also highlighted the project's focus on joint interoperability and real-world testing with military partners. The effort aims to quickly turn emerging technologies into operational capabilities that give Marines a decisive advantage.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is modernizing its IT infrastructure to improve efficiency, security and access for patients and providers. Since taking the role in May, Wade Zarriello, director of infrastructure and user services, has led efforts to consolidate platforms, optimize shared services and cut costs — exceeding CMS's fiscal year 2025 savings goal by $750 million. Zarriello also discussed how the agency is implementing a zero trust cybersecurity framework and leveraging AI tools to strengthen data protection and operational reliability. He highlighted CMS's use of GSA OneGov agreements with AWS, Oracle and Salesforce to drive cost savings, improve platform consolidation and support hybrid cloud initiatives.

The Zscaler Public Sector Summit, Robert Roser, CISO, CDO and director of cybersecurity at Idaho National Laboratory, discussed the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape facing government and critical infrastructure. He joined GovCIO Media & Research at the event to explain how malicious actors are increasingly using AI to launch more sophisticated phishing campaigns and ransomware attacks while also lowering the barrier to entry for less-skilled hackers. He also shared how his team is strengthening defenses through zero trust principles, stronger identity protections and new guardrails for AI use. As cyber threats grow more complex, Roser emphasized that cybersecurity is not just an IT issue — it is a responsibility shared across the entire organization.

The Office of Personnel Management launched its Federal Workforce Data website in January, replacing FedScope, the 20-year-old repository for federal employment data. The new platform provides greater transparency into how the federal workforce operates, featuring monthly updates and interactive tables that offer deeper insight into workforce demographics. OPM Director Scott Kupor told GovCIO Media & Resesarch how the revamped site improves user experience and expands visibility into civilian agency operations. Kupor also explained how FWD could serve as a foundation for future consolidation of the federal government's disparate human resources systems.

The Department of the Navy is using AI across a range of mission areas. In the intelligence domain, the service is moving AI beyond experimental phases and integrating trustworthy AI into all warfighting functions, Christopher Page, deputy director of OPNAV's Intelligence Division, said on AI GovCast. Page said data quality depends on agreed-upon terms for modeling adversary and friendly forces. For AI implementation to be effective, he said, the Navy must adhere to a common taxonomy and lexicon, noting that "a cruiser needs to be a cruiser, a rowboat needs to be a rowboat." He added that the ultimate goal of the Navy's digital transformation is a hybrid fleet. The future force will feature expanded AI use across the department, autonomous systems that require less bandwidth, and integrated operations between manned and unmanned platforms.

AI is at the center of the Marine Corps' digital transformation efforts, from edge communication to cybersecurity. Marine Corps AI Lead Maj. Christopher Clark said AI it must be adapted to the physical and technical constraints of vehicles and equipment used on the front lines. To tackle these constraints, the Marine Corps is organizing an AI workshop this March to bring together fleet-level problem solvers and industry innovators to identify and experiment with high-value solutions. Using Corps-wide talent, Clark said, USMC can find the best solutions to pressing problems. He added that recent research from a Marine Corps AI fellowship demonstrated that generative AI can perform this task with a 50% increase in speed, allowing networks to be established much faster than through traditional methods. Clark also discussed the ways USMC is using AI to augment Marines talent, enhance data readiness for mission and reduce the fatigue associated administrative and intelligence work.

The War Department is modernizing its acquisition ecosystem to meet the demands of modern warfare. Designed for speed, the updated approach redefines how the Pentagon manages risk, incorporates feedback and iterates on capability delivery. Speaking at AFCEA/USNI WEST in San Diego, California, Louis Koplin, the Navy's acting program executive officer for PEO Digital, said the Department of the Navy is focused on delivering capabilities early and often, using technology investment horizons to guide innovation. Iterative development, he said, relies on direct warfighter feedback and embedding operators within development teams. Koplin added that industry input is shaping lessons learned across the department to address current challenges. Commercial and dual-use technologies, he said, are transforming how the Navy acquires and deploys new capabilities.

As artificial intelligence reshapes military operations at breakneck speed, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is launching an accelerated master's degree aimed at pushing AI-literate officers into the fleet as early as 2027. Speaking at AFCEA/USNI West in San Diego, Capt. Mike Owen, co-chair of the NPS AI Task Force, said the new program is designed to close a widening gap between the pace of technological change and the Department of the Navy's ability to train personnel to use emerging tools. Owen said NPS teams are also traveling to major Navy and Marine Corps hubs to deliver AI 101 and prompt-engineering workshops. He added that the rollout of GenAI.mil and increased access to AI models are enabling NPS students to explore the technology more deeply and deliver new capabilities to the Navy.

The U.S. Navy is transitioning to a continuous cybersecurity model, leveraging AI to prevent or significantly mitigate cyberattacks as it shifts from traditional risk management frameworks to the Cybersecurity Risk Management Construct. Shery Thomas, enterprise IT officer at Navy Installations Command (CNIC), discussed how the transition is unfolding at the command level. Thomas outlined CNIC's cybersecurity initiatives, including adopting a continuous observability and readiness model. He also addressed cultural hurdles in elevating cybersecurity to a "live" operational status and the steps the command is taking to overcome them. In addition, Thomas discussed supply chain security and how CNIC is leveraging AI to support autonomous deterrence capabilities. He emphasized the human dimension of technological change, including how new cybersecurity structures impact sailors and civilian personnel at Navy installations and the efforts underway to strengthen workforce awareness and accountability.

War Department components are pivoting away from "exquisite" hardware in favor of agile, low-cost manufacturing methodologies. Part of this shift includes prize challenges like the Naval Postgraduate School's Tactical Missile Innovation Challenge, a non-traditional challenge that emphasizes methodology. Speaking at AFCEA/USNI WEST in San Diego, California, NPS Director of Research Innovation at the Naval Postgraduate School Kaitie Penry said that the Tactical Missile Innovation Challenge, unlike traditional military contracts that demand a hardware prototype, asks participants for a design methodology. The goal, she said, is to produce missiles at scale using 3D printing and commercial off-the-shelf parts for cost efficacy and scalability. Penry also said that the challenge aims to replace million-dollar assets with $5,000 alternatives that can be mass-produced, allowing the fleet to maintain a "quantity has a quality of its own" advantage for munitions.

Guest Ty Hughes is a longtime cybersecurity and technology leader in the public sector that champions cyber wellness. He discussed the concept of "AI alchemy" and a "pause, breathe, summarize" framework to help leaders improving clarity under pressure. He framed cybersecurity not as a technical challenge, but rather as a human system under constant cognitive and emotional load. He discussed how burnout, decision fatigue and constant urgency can degrade security performance long before technical failures might appear.

The Trump administration's July 2025 AI Action Plan calls on National Institute of Standards & Technology to revise its AI Risk Management Framework amid easing federal regulation of the tech. Martin Stanley, principal researcher for AI and cybersecurity at NIST, joined us at the AI Summit on Jan. 9 to discuss new AI control overlays for the Special Publication 800-53 series and the risks they are designed to address. Stanley explained how these overlays build on existing security controls to help agencies better manage AI-specific threats while aligning with broader federal priorities outlined in the AI Action Plan. Stanley also explored where agencies struggle to turn AI risk frameworks into operational reality, from governance structures to implementation at the system level. Looking ahead, he shared how NIST expects AI security guidance to evolve as agencies transition from pilot projects to enterprise deployments and what new or updated standards federal leaders should anticipate next.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CIO Bob Costello joined GovCIO Media & Research at its AI Summit earlier this year to discuss how the agency is deploying agentic AI and tackling cybersecurity workforce challenges. Costello outlined how CISA is integrating AI into operations while prioritizing security, oversight and workforce readiness. Costello also highlighted CISA's partnership with the Office of Personnel Management on the Scholarship for Service CyberCorps program, which aims to strengthen the federal cybersecurity talent pipeline. He said agencies need new approaches to help employees better understand AI's role and build confidence using the technology in day-to-day work. The conversation also touched on how CISA's agentic AI capabilities are accelerating approval timelines and autonomously taking action to mitigate cyber threats.

Federal government's accelerated use of AI is driving attention toward data infrastructure. Efforts to train models and secure data mean AI is increasing both the volume of data agencies generate and the expectations placed on the infrastructure. Pure Storage Senior Director of Strategic Federal Programs Doyle Choi focused on what AI and cybersecurity mean for the growing data demands and how he's seeing agencies rethinking storage and infrastructure strategies. The interview also looks at how agencies are prioritizing infrastructure investments to support AI responsibly to balance speed and innovation with data protection, compliance and sustainability.

Agencies are implementing AI in different ways, from developing internal tools to buying off-the-shelf solutions. At Space Force, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer Chandra Donelson and AI Innovation Lead Oliver Tannheiser told AI GovCast that they are using innovative strategies to bring AI to Guardians. Flywheel Award winner Tannheiser said that Space Force is using GPT systems to give Guardians access to 33 different large language models, allowing them access to different ways to solve problems using AI. Donelson added that Space Force is shifting its AI adoption mindset to identify specific problems faced by Guardians and working backward to find the right tool. Tannheiser also noted that the Space Force AI Challenge is bringing innovation to Guardians. One recent success is Polaris, an AI tool designed to help families navigate the stressors of Permanent Change of Station by finding childcare and base information.

Tune in for an interview with a cybersecurity and technology leader who will host an upcoming new podcast series created for the government technologist. Meet the voice behind the show who discusses the importance of wellness and leadership in federal IT. Technically Zen explores the intersection of well-being and technology, with honest conversations about mental health, leadership, resilience and what it takes to build a sustainable career in tech. The host of the series goes by JoJo D, also known as the Chaos Guru, a longtime technology and cybersecurity leader. She highlights what the show will dive into as shaped by her own experiences and conversations across the tech community. Here's what listeners can expect when the show officially launches and why this topic is especially relevant for federal technologists today.

Artificial intelligence has become a critical enabler across NASA. Deputy CAIO Krista Kinnard discussed its impact on engineers using "text-to-structure" capabilities, the design for stronger spacecraft components, program managers optimizing complex schedules and HR teams streamlining operations. NASA's approach to AI represents a cultural shift from the agency's historically siloed structure to one emphasizing cross-pollination and collaboration. Kinnard explained how the agency consolidating its AI infrastructure across all 10 NASA field centers nationwide. She also discussed how NASA is forming partnerships with industry, academia and emerging AI startups to stay at the forefront of innovation.

A new presidential administration and changing priorities defined 2025 in government IT. In the new year, agency tech leaders are looking ahead to implement AI, executive electronic health records across systems and modernize services and software with emerging tech like AI. IT leaders from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the departments of Veterans Affairs and War explored how the government is moving beyond pilot programs to integrate emerging capabilities directly into mission-critical workflows. Featured conversations include: 1:07: Kyle Cobb, Acting Deputy Director for Technology and Product, OPHDST, CDC 1:55: Dr. Neil Evans, Acting Program Executive Officer, EHRM-IO, VA 3:30: Katie Arrington, CISO, Department of War

The critical watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) inform everything from a firefighter's deployment to wildfires to the public's beach plans. This information is powered by some of the most advanced computational infrastructure in the world. According to David Michaud, director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction's Central Operations at the NWS, high-performance computing (HPC) is the indispensable foundation that turns raw atmospheric data into actionable public safety information. Michaud joined GovCast to discuss HPC and the IT systems accelerating science at NWS, including the service's operational supercomputers capable of calculating up to 14 quadrillion calculations per second. Michaud also talked about the burgeoning role of AI/ML in weather prediction. These new predictive models are not intended to replace the traditional NWP models, but to complement them.

The U.S. is facing a surge in advanced threats from nation-state actors like China and Russia, who are increasingly probing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. David Travers, director of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Water Emergency Response and Cybersecurity, noted how escalating risks to the nation's water sector has shifted over his 30-year career, how adversaries are leveraging emerging technologies like AI to improve attacks and how the agency is adapting. He also detailed how partnerships with Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI are improving incident reporting, plans for a new $9 million water system resilience grant and the top cybersecurity initiatives shaping 2026.

The Army needs innovative and efficient solutions to problems. At the Association of the United States Army's Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Innovation Officer at the Army's 3rd Infantry Division's Marne Innovation Center (MIC) Capt. Brendan Shutt explained how the Army's grassroots innovation model is transforming problem-solving. The center embeds innovation directly into training environments, sourcing problems from soldiers in real time and involves warfighters firsthand in innovation. He said its soldier-driven, agile approach offers a compelling blueprint for future battlefield innovation and efficiency. Shutt described challenges with scaling solutions across the Army, but said partnerships with academia provide fresh perspectives, technical bandwidth and can support more complex projects involving AI and autonomous systems.

Mitchell Thornbrugh, CIO and director of the Office of Information Technology at the Indian Health Service (IHS), is leading a transformative effort to modernize health care delivery for Native American and Alaska Native communities. Patients at the Heart Electronic Health Record (PATH EHR) is an enterprise-wide initiative uniting more than 200 staff from federal, tribal and urban health facilities. At the core of Thornbrugh's vision is an understanding that rural and underserved areas face distinct health care challenges, including limited resources and workforce shortages. By approaching EHR modernization through the lens of community impact, IHS is positioning itself as a leader in redefining how digital health serves patients across vast and diverse regions. Thornbrugh emphasizes that the true breakthrough lies in data liberation — unlocking decades of health records to improve outcomes and guide smarter decision-making. This patient-first, data-driven approach ensures PATH EHR is not only a milestone for Native health systems today but also a blueprint for health care transformation for generations to come.

Kyle Cobb, acting deputy director for technology and product at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology (OPHDST), shared how emerging technologies are transforming the way health care data is shared and managed. Cobb outlined how APIs are replacing outdated data connections with a hub-and-spoke model, creating more efficient and centralized data utilities. Tools such as FHIR-based APIs and core Data Use Agreements (DUAs) are not only reducing administrative burdens but also helping providers and public health agencies exchange information more consistently. This standardization builds the foundation for a stronger, more responsive data infrastructure capable of supporting both routine health care operations and large-scale public health emergencies. Artificial intelligence is becoming the next major accelerant in this transformation. Cobb described how AI tools can parse older data formats and convert them into modern FHIR bundles, unlocking access to legacy systems that were previously difficult to integrate.

Dr. Neil Evans, Acting Program Executive Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, provided an update on the rollout of the common electronic health record (EHR). The VA paused the rollout in 2023 following optimization and reliability issues. Evans outlined plans to restart deployment in April 2026 at select sites in Michigan, with a target of full, enterprise-wide implementation by 2031. He described the VA's wave-based deployment schedule, which leverages user feedback and lessons learned from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the War Department, both of which have deployed the common EHR. Evans discussed the challenges and opportunities the EHR presents for veterans and active military personnel alike.

Robert Sholtis, CIO at Marine Corps Forces Pacific, discussed at AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific his modernization efforts for the service across the Indo-Pacific region. MARFORPAC operates one of the largest services across some of the most challenging environments in the world, facilitating the need to quickly adopt, acquire and scale emerging technologies as they develop. Sholtis said that industry, warfighters and acquisition must work in concert to properly supply the force with the most up-to-date, scalable technology like AI to prepare against adversarial threats. He called on industry to provide innovative technologies to MARFORPAC when the force will find ways to make the technology scalable. Guest: Robert Sholtis, CIO, Marine Corps Forces Pacific

Marine Corps Forces Pacific is standing up a Digital Transformation Team (DXT) as part of the Marine Corps' AI Implementation Plan's Digital Transformation Pilot. C5ISRT Systems Integration Officer and Agentic Warfare Lead Capt. Mason Millsap joined us at AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific to explain how the pilot helps personnel digitize processes, expand secure data pipelines and accelerate AI adoption for real-world operations. He discussed how DXT is advancing the service's Digital Transformation Pilot and optimizing digital data flows across tactical and operational systems to strengthen command and control, improve interoperability and enhance decision-making across the Indo-Pacific region. He also highlighted how the service is integrating emerging technologies from the research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) enterprise to maximize the value of prototypes and demonstrations while preparing for the rise of agentic and autonomous systems.

Naval officers explain how the Adaptive Rapid Engagement Squadron (ARES), a Midshipmen-led research and development team at the U.S. Naval Academy, has participated in competitions like the Squad with Autonomous Teammates – Challenge to test and prove new techniques, tactics and procedures relating to the adoption of emerging technology like drones, AI and electronic warfare in simulated modern combat situations.

With generative AI introducing new challenges for digital security, Arun Vemury, director at the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, explains how biometric technologies are enabling the agency to stay ahead of AI-driven identity fraud. The conversation explores how DHS verifies identities across complex environments — from border crossings to remote digital interactions. Vemury details the agency's collaborative approach, using cooperative research agreements and competitive evaluations to test and deploy cutting-edge biometric tools quickly. He also discusses how DHS balances strong security with seamless user experiences through multi-layered verification methods like advanced facial recognition, liveness detection and emerging video call authentication techniques.

Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy Chief of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Stephen Konya has been credited with launching groundbreaking initiatives like CancerX to accelerate innovation in health care. These efforts are largely borne out of partnerships with the private sector, including academia, entrepreneurs, investors, developers and more. Konya shared how he's building innovation ecosystems that stay rooted in patient needs while advancing cutting-edge technologies. He highlighted how connecting innovation networks to resources can also expand patient access to care. Drawing on his experience leading Federal Innovation Days and spearheading interagency collaborations, Konya offered lessons on translating federal innovation into real-world impact. He also explored the biggest barriers to access, strategies for sustaining innovation and the emerging technologies shaping the future of health care.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) facilitates trades of exports of goods and services and, in doing so, deals with massive troves of data. From the Billington Cybersecurity Summit, EXIM CISO, Chief Privacy Officer, and Deputy Chief AI Officer Darren Death tells CyberCast that his agency is centralizing data about user access and behavior to detect potential cyber threats. Death says that balancing cybersecurity with privacy remains a challenge, especially in complex IT ecosystems involving financial institutions. He stresses the need to "shift left" by embedding privacy and security requirements early in the development lifecycle and include business leaders in conversations about cybersecurity, privacy and usability. He also says that the EXIM is using generative AI to simulate incident response scenarios, escalating threats to test team readiness. Death adds that EXIM is positioning AI as a force multiplier rather than a job threat.