Blueprint for Modernizing Defense l Transforming Government Operations l CIA's AI Strategy

July 21, 2024

Presented by Salesforce & Carahsoft

A Blueprint for Modernizing Defense Infrastructure

Leslie Beavers, Acting CIO at the DoD explains how the Defense Department's Fulcrum IT advancement strategy is a comprehensive plan designed to modernize the department's IT infrastructure. Developed through a collaborative effort involving representatives from various branches and agencies within the Department of Defense, the strategy focuses on four main lines of effort: providing joint warfighting IT capabilities, modernizing information networks and compute, optimizing IT governance, and cultivating a premier digital workforce. Each line of effort is aimed at enhancing the warfighter's experience and operational efficiency. The strategy emphasizes the importance of integrating cybersecurity into all aspects of IT operations, ensuring seamless communication across networks, and developing a skilled digital workforce to handle software modernization, data, and AI initiatives. Beavers highlighted the necessity of customer experience, strategic alignment with national security objectives, and measurable progress to ensure long-term success. 

Key Takeaways:

1. The fulcrum IT advancement strategy emphasizes a user-centric, warfighter-focused approach integrating multiple IT modernization efforts.
   
   
2. The strategy includes clear objectives and implementation plans to improve cybersecurity and interoperability within the DoD.
   
   
3. Beavers highlighted the importance of customer experience and governance, aiming to measure progress and ensure lasting change in the DoD's IT infrastructure.

Transforming Government Operations with Generative AI

Casey Coleman, Senior Vice President for Global Government Solutions at Salesforce discusses how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is testing large language models and generative artificial intelligence through three pilot programs aimed at improving various operational areas. Coleman emphasizes the practical application of AI in government. Coleman emphasizes that the success of AI technologies, unlike other buzzword technologies like blockchain and NFTs, lies in their ability to simplify and enhance both work and personal lives. For AI to be effectively integrated into government workflows, it must be able to access and process relevant data efficiently, providing significant support in areas such as procurement and public defender case management. Governance, transparency, and ethical use of AI are critical to ensure trust and compliance. Coleman envisions generative AI as a transformative tool that can drastically improve mission outcomes, such as expediting drug trials to save lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Generative AI is being tested in practical use cases within government, such as training, grant processing, and law enforcement.
   
   
2. Integrating AI into existing workflows requires access to well-curated data and a focus on use cases that directly benefit employees and citizens.
   
   
3. Trust, transparency, and ethical considerations are crucial in implementing AI within government operations.

CIA's AI Strategy: Advancing Intelligence, Efficiency, and Governance

Lakshmi Raman, Director of Artificial Intelligence at the CIA discusses how the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has developed a new AI strategy focused on three pillars to maintain an edge over adversaries: AI as an intelligence topic, leveraging AI for operational efficiency, and strong governance. Raman explains that the strategy involves tracking and analyzing AI developments by adversaries and allies to inform national security policies. Internally, the CIA aims to integrate AI to augment human judgment and automate low-level tasks, making workflows more efficient. Collaboration between AI practitioners and mission partners is essential for success. Governance includes ensuring ethical and responsible AI use, upskilling the workforce, and working closely with private industry partners. The CIA leverages both traditional and non-traditional methods to find innovative technologies and solutions. Success in this strategy is measured by the agency's ability to stay ahead of global AI trends and adversarial advancements, supported by comprehensive metrics tracking progress and impact.

Key Takeaways:

1. The CIA's AI strategy focuses on understanding and leveraging AI, ensuring responsible use through robust governance.
   
   
2. Collaboration between AI practitioners and business partners is essential for integrating AI into workflows and achieving mission objectives.
   
   
3. Public-private partnerships are vital for accessing innovative AI solutions and maintaining an edge over adversaries.