Presented by Carahsoft

Mike Adams, Program Executive for AI Solutions at Carahsoft, emphasized that successful AI adoption depends on more than technology. Agencies must establish strong foundations that include quality data, governance, infrastructure, workforce readiness, and mission alignment before AI can deliver meaningful outcomes.

Adams observed growing enthusiasm across all levels of government as organizations seek practical examples of how AI can improve operations and citizen services. State and local governments, in particular, are accelerating adoption as they explore opportunities to improve efficiency, combat fraud, and support increasingly complex missions.

Central to AI readiness is ensuring that organizations have reliable, accessible, and governed data. Without strong data foundations, agencies will struggle to generate accurate insights or scale AI initiatives effectively. Infrastructure and security capabilities must also evolve to support the growing demands of AI workloads.

Equally important is workforce preparation. Adams stressed that AI should not replace subject matter expertise but rather enhance it. Human judgment remains essential to ensuring that AI-driven recommendations align with mission objectives and organizational priorities.

As AI capabilities continue to evolve, Adams believes agencies will increasingly focus on agentic workflows that automate routine tasks, support decision-making, and improve citizen-facing services. Organizations that invest in readiness today will be best positioned to realize those benefits in the future.

Key Takeaways

• AI readiness requires strong data governance, infrastructure, and workforce development.
• Human expertise remains essential to successful AI implementation.
• Agencies are increasingly focused on measurable mission outcomes from AI investments.