Trust at Mission Speed: Responsible AI in Federal Operations

Presented by LMI & Carahsoft

Christen Smith, President of Solutions at LMI, believes the key to effective AI in government is trust—trust in the data, the process, and the decisions that follow. Speaking at the Google Public Sector Summit, she urged agencies to balance innovation with accountability as they integrate artificial intelligence into mission operations.

“AI is a powerful tool,” she said, “but it’s a double-edged sword. For all the efficiency it brings, it can also introduce vulnerabilities and blind spots when it’s not carefully managed.”

Smith argued that the foundation of trustworthy AI is data integrity. “If you didn’t trust or understand your data before AI got a hold of it, you won’t trust or understand it afterward,” she said. AI outputs, she added, must be transparent and traceable so decision-makers can see how conclusions were reached.

The goal, she said, is not product speed but mission speed—enabling faster, more confident decisions without compromising trust. “Speed only matters when it’s trusted,” she said. “If operators hesitate to act because they don’t trust the output, you’ve lost mission speed.”

LMI, Smith explained, helps agencies establish secure, scalable AI environments built around AI assurance from the start. In partnership with Google Public Sector, LMI is creating data environments that are both connected and protected, enabling better, faster decisions across government.

She also addressed the cultural component of transformation. “Innovation thrives when people feel supported and part of the change,” Smith said. “That means giving the workforce training, guardrails, and trust to use AI securely and effectively.”

LMI’s own journey reflects this approach. Originally founded as a not-for-profit to drive innovation in defense logistics, LMI has evolved alongside its clients while maintaining its mission-first focus. “We’ve lived transformation,” Smith said. “Our workforce is now helping government deploy its expertise in bigger, better ways through secure, trusted technology.”

Ultimately, Smith said, AI innovation must be grounded in ethics and transparency. “Trust isn’t an added feature,” she said. “It’s the foundation of meaningful impact.”

Key Takeaways

• Trusted data and transparent outputs are essential for responsible AI.

• “Mission speed” matters more than raw product speed—trust enables faster action.

• Cultural readiness and workforce empowerment drive sustainable transformation.