AI Momentum and the Mission: Accelerating Federal Transformation

Original broadcast 6/22/25

Presented by Snowflake & Carahsoft

This week on Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, three powerhouse voices from government and industry explore the intersection of AI, cloud infrastructure, and digital modernization. La'Naia Jones shares how the CIA is moving AI into full deployment across the agency. Steve Coles of Snowflake Federal explains why federal agencies are rapidly shifting toward SaaS models and commercial technologies. Former Federal CIO Clare Martorana discusses the critical role of data in government transformation and how long-term funding and collaboration are key to sustainable digital progress.

Operationalizing AI Across the CIA

CIA Chief Information Officer La'Naia Jones details how the agency has moved beyond AI planning into full-scale deployment. AI is now embedded throughout CIA functions—from mission and analysis to HR and cybersecurity. Jones explains that both proprietary and commercial off-the-shelf AI tools are used, depending on the data's nature and purpose. She highlights the CIA’s five-year journey building cloud infrastructure as the foundation for scalable, secure AI. With strong internal development teams and external partnerships, the agency ensures rapid intelligence delivery while meeting rigorous security and policy requirements. Jones notes that small-scale use cases helped them mature their capabilities methodically, with cybersecurity as a key early proving ground.

Key Takeaways

• The CIA uses a blend of commercial and proprietary AI tools depending on data classification and collection methods.

• Their cloud infrastructure—five years in the making—is essential for delivering AI services across the agency.

• Early use cases in cybersecurity and HR paved the way for full-scale deployment across directorates.

Why Government is Betting on SaaS

Steve Coles, President of Snowflake Federal, shares why agencies are leaning into commercial technologies and SaaS models. With mission needs evolving quickly, agencies can no longer afford long development timelines. Modern SaaS solutions offer flexibility, faster deployments, and frequent updates without the lengthy ATO processes of traditional systems. Coles identifies cultural resistance and data ownership as challenges—but says agencies are overcoming these by demanding control over their data and adopting proven commercial frameworks. He emphasizes that innovative SaaS platforms are now mature enough to meet mission-critical requirements, helping agencies stay ahead of adversaries and mission timelines.

Key Takeaways

• Agencies are adopting commercial SaaS to reduce deployment time and avoid protracted contracting cycles.

• The ATO process remains a barrier, but SaaS can streamline innovation with one-time authorizations.

• Cultural shifts are required for agencies to stop building bespoke systems and embrace commercial solutions that ensure data ownership and faster updates.

The Data Imperative in Federal Transformation

Clare Martorana, former Federal CIO, outlines how data remains the missing link in government digital transformation. While agencies have made strides in cloud and AI adoption, a lack of consistent, long-term funding and holistic data strategies hampers sustained progress. Martorana emphasizes that “computers are just bricks without data,” pointing to the importance of governance, risk management, and talent. She advocates for a stronger relationship between the executive branch and Congress to fund ongoing modernization. Martorana also calls for enhanced agency collaboration through platforms like the CIO Council and GSA’s Centers of Excellence, fostering safe environments to share best practices and accelerate transformation together.

Key Takeaways

• Long-term funding and cross-agency collaboration are essential to advancing digital and AI maturity in government.

• Data strategy and governance must keep pace with technology adoption for true transformation.

• Platforms like the CIO Council help create safe spaces for learning and sharing progress across agencies.