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Dataminr’s Paul Tierney on Public Sector Use of AI in 2025
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Dataminr’s Paul Tierney on Public Sector Use of AI in 2025

Paul Tierney, senior vice president of North America public sector at Dataminr, expects artificial intelligence to be put to use by government agencies to address cybersecurity risks in 2025.

Cybersecurity Applications

Tierney made this projection in an article published Thursday, where he discussed the areas in which AI would likely be applied by the public sector in the coming year and beyond. Concerning AI’s cybersecurity applications, Tierney said the technology could be used by agencies to address risks emanating from external vendors and partners. AI could also be used to defend against cyber attacks launched by malicious actors wielding the same technology.

Agency Coordination

The Dataminr SVP believes AI would be used by the government to improve coordination and response to various scenarios, including disasters and national security events. AI could power systems that facilitate information-sharing. Additionally, he suggests, it could work to synthesize data from various sources to deliver insights that could help hasten decision-making.

Government Efficiency

AI is also a key element in the operation of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which President Donald Trump established via executive order on Jan. 20. According to the EO, AI will help the organization as it works to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity through the modernization of federal technology and software. For Tierney, the use of AI by DOGE may even encourage other agencies to find creative ways to apply the technology.

AI ‘An Essential Tool’

The Dataminr executive went on to describe AI as “no longer just an experiment” but “an essential tool for efficient and adaptable governance.”

“As we move forward in 2025, I look forward to seeing how governments and public sector organizations worldwide will further explore ways to harness AI’s benefits while addressing persistent challenges, such as security and privacy concerns and ethical considerations,” Tierney said.

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US SPACECENT to Open Campus at Qatari Air Base
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US SPACECENT to Open Campus at Qatari Air Base

The U.S. Space Forces – Central Command is advancing operations at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with the construction of a campus at the base. The campus is meant to the base’s space operations and capabilities in the Middle East, according to Friday’s U.S. Space Force announcement of the facility’s groundbreaking.

The SPACECENT campus will host state-of-the-art equipment for joint support on space-related activities at Al Udeid, USSF said. The American forces at the base include elements from the U.S. Air Forces Central Command and the Combined Air and Space Operations Center. The United States and Qatar agreed in January 2024 to extend U.S. military presence at the base for another 10 years.

Collaborative Foundation in the Middle East

Col. Frank Brooks, Space Forces Central Command deputy, said at the campus’ recent groundbreaking ceremony that the complex will be “a beacon for the vital space systems and operations” of U.S. CENTCOM’s mission to promote security and partnership across the Middle East. He added that in establishing the new facility, the United States and Qatar are demonstrating an “ever-growing partnership” that began in the 1990s, noting that the Al Udeid Air Base has been “a foundation for collaboration and mutual respect.”

In 2018, Qatar launched a $1.8 billion project to upgrade the base, the biggest facility that U.S. military forces use in the Middle East. The base expansion was reported as part of Qatar’s cooperation with the United States in fighting terrorism. 

In another cooperative effort, U.S. Space Command entered into a space situational awareness data sharing agreement with the Qatar Armed Forces in October 2023.

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IBM Center Calls for Careful Adoption of GenAI by Government
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IBM Center Calls for Careful Adoption of GenAI by Government

The IBM Center for The Business of Government released last month a document offering guidance on how agencies can implement digital technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, Nextgov/FCW reported Monday.

Adopting AI Carefully

According to the document, titled “Digital Modernization for Government: An Implementation Framework,” GenAI can be key to technological modernization and transformation for the government but its adoption should be handled carefully. The document underscored the need for compliance with regulations and adherence to principles of ethical AI use.

Avoiding Bias

Efforts should also be taken to mitigate the potential harms the technology could bring about, especially when processing large amounts of potentially private or sensitive data. While agencies can use AI to generate actionable insights from such information, agencies should also avoid producing output that could result in unfairness or bias, the think tank said.

It should also recommends that agencies work to ensure that AI tools are compliant with data governance regulations.

Additional Recommendations

The document’s other recommendations for the careful implementation of AI include ensuring that the output of an AI tool can be explained and establishing a process by which AI outputs can be challenged. Furthermore, the document proposed fostering AI-human collaboration.

IBM Center Calls for Careful Adoption of GenAI by Government

Register now for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 AI Summit, which will provide participants with insights on how to harness artificial intelligence within their organizations.

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GSA Installs Private Sector Execs in Leadership Positions
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GSA Installs Private Sector Execs in Leadership Positions

The General Services Administration has announced the appointment of industry executives Michael Peters and Josh Gruenbaum as commissioners of the Public Buildings Service, or PBS, and the Federal Acquisition Service, or FAS, respectively.

GSA said Friday that Thomas Shedd took on the role of director of Technology Transformation Services, or TTS, while legal executive Russell McGranahan assumed the position of general counsel.

Michael Peters

The newly appointed PBS commissioner recently served as vice president of corporate strategy at Honeywell International. He served as chief operating officer of KOS Services and had an extensive career in investment banking.

Josh Gruenbaum

The new FAS commissioner has served on numerous boards across different industries and has specialized in mergers and acquisitions, governance, investing and complex restructurings. Gruenbaum previously worked at KKR & Co. and Moelis & Co.

Thomas Shedd

In addition to his role as director of TTS, Shedd will serve as deputy commissioner of FAS.

He is a mechanical engineer who spent eight years at Tesla, where he developed software that operates vehicle and battery factories.

Russell McGranahan

The newly appointed general counsel at GSA has over three decades of experience at investment companies Focus Financial Partners and BlackRock and at law firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and White & Case.

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Greg Barbaccia Announces New Role as Federal CIO
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Greg Barbaccia Announces New Role as Federal CIO

Greg Barbaccia has confirmed his new role as federal chief information officer at the Office of Management and Budget, succeeding Clare Martorana. Barbaccia announced his appointment on a LinkedIn post Saturday. 

Get to Know the New Federal CIO 

He brings to the role over 15 years of experience in the finance, government and defense technology markets. Before becoming the federal CIO, he served as chief information security officer at Theorem, a financial services company that provides risk management powered by machine learning and data science. In this role, he developed and implemented company strategies to protect sensitive financial data, address cyber vulnerabilities and cyber incidence response, and ensure regulatory compliance. 

He also served as president of Elementus, a blockchain search engine provider, for over a year. The company also offers compliance and data analytics platforms to U.S. government agencies. 

Barbaccia spent 10 years of his career at Palantir, where he held leadership roles of increasing responsibilities. He joined the software development company in 2010 as a government account manager, where he handled Palantir’s business with the Department of Defense and local law enforcement organizations. By 2016, he has moved up to the role of head of intelligence and investigations.

He also founded and served as a managing partner at Argus Vigilance. 

Earlier in his career, the tech expert was an intelligence analyst at the Intelligence Community. He was also an intelligence sergeant for the U.S. Army.

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Trump Signs EO to Establish Science & Tech Advisory Council
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Trump Signs EO to Establish Science & Tech Advisory Council

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to establish an advisory council on science and technology.

What Is PCAST’s Purpose?

The White House said Thursday the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, or PCAST, will spearhead U.S. innovation and competitiveness in critical and emerging technologies by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and providing evidence-based recommendations to the president to ensure that the latest technological advancements and scientific discoveries inform policies.

The assistant to the president for science and technology and the White House special adviser for artificial intelligence and crypto will co-chair PCAST, which will include up to 24 members, including technologists and scientists from government, industry and academia.

According to the EO, the Department of Energy will provide funding and technical and administrative support for PCAST, which is authorized to run for two years.

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Senate Confirms Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary
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Senate Confirms Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kristi Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on a 59-34 vote.

Senators worked over the weekend to confirm Noem as the eighth homeland security secretary, DHS said Saturday. Fifty-two Republican senators, who hold the chamber’s majority, supported Noem’s nomination while seven Democrats voted in her favor.

Safety Goals

In a statement issued following the confirmation vote, the new DHS head thanked the Senate for its trust, vowing she would secure the southern border, fix the broken immigration system and keep all Americans safe. “We will fully equip our intelligence and law enforcement to detect and prevent terror threats and will deliver rapid assistance and disaster relief to Americans in crisis,” the Wash100 Award recipient said.

First Female Governor of South Dakota

Before her nomination to President Donald Trump’s cabinet, Noem was a two-term governor of South Dakota—the first woman to hold the job in the state’s history. She also served in the state legislature for several years and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Noem, who will oversee key agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and take charge of federal response to natural disasters, was sworn in by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.

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House Bill Seeks to Ensure Efficient Mid-Band Spectrum Allocation
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House Bill Seeks to Ensure Efficient Mid-Band Spectrum Allocation

Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., has introduced a bill that would extend the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority and help advance 5G and next-generation technologies by ensuring the efficient allocation of mid-band spectrum.

What Would the Bill Do?

Allen’s office said Thursday the proposed Spectrum Pipeline Act would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, to identify at least 2,500 megahertz of mid-band spectrum that can be reallocated to non-federal or shared use in the next five years.

Under the bill, FCC should auction at least 1,250 megahertz of spectrum for full-power commercial wireless services within six years and allocate at least 125 megahertz of additional spectrum for unlicensed services as part of efforts to promote unlicensed innovation.

The measure would require FCC and NTIA to submit to Congress annual progress reports as well as reports within 60 days of each identification made by NTIA.

The legislation would also eliminate a limitation in current law to allow federal agencies to procure new equipment using spectrum auction proceeds.

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 5G Summit on Feb. 27 to learn more about how the technology supports DOD’s Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control and other warfighting capabilities. Register here.

POC - 2025 5G Summit
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Sheila Thomas Named NSA Executive Director
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Sheila Thomas Named NSA Executive Director

Sheila Thomas has been named the next executive director of the National Security Agency.

The agency said on Jan. 21 Thomas will work directly with the NSA’s director and deputy director to lead efforts in sustaining the agency’s external agreements with its partners and stakeholders. As the second-highest senior civilian leader, she will continue efforts to build and maintain public trust and confidence to help execute the agency’s vision and strategy. 

40-Year Career in Federal Service

Before her appointment, Thomas held a variety of crucial roles within the NSA and Department of Defense. She started her career in 1985 in the field of intelligence analysis, where she provided her expertise to the Department of Commerce, the Pentagon, FBI and the United Kingdom. Thomas also spearheaded the analysis and production at the NSA/CSS Texas, SIGINT Directorate Office of Compliance and Strategy, Performance and Programs for Analysis and Production.

The NSA executive played a crucial role in the analytic modernization of the agency. She was heavily involved in the implementation of the NSA21 campaign and was the chief of information and intelligence analysis within the Directorate of Operations. Thomas was instrumental in the creation of NSA as we know it today.

Thomas most recently served as director of engagement and policy, where she led and integrated NSA functions such as policy and compliance, internal and external communications, international partnerships and delivery of intelligence products and services. She also served as special United States liaison officer, London, or SUSLOL, working on maintaining the cryptologic partnership with the U.K. Thomas was additionally a senior member of the U.S. Embassy, London country team. 

Thomas takes over the role vacated by the recently retired Catherine Aucella, who served as executive director from August 2022 until December 2024.

General Timothy Haugh, commander of USCYBERCOM and director of NSA, said, “Sheila brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from a variety of roles across NSA and the Department of Defense.”

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USAF Aligns Doctrines With Efforts to Build More Lethal Force
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USAF Aligns Doctrines With Efforts to Build More Lethal Force

The U.S. Air Force has updated three publications to underscore its ongoing efforts to build a more lethal and resilient force under the Great Power Competition doctrine.

The documents reflect the current evolution of doctrines to ensure that the service adopts an operational mindset that advances warfighting effectiveness, USAF said Thursday. The doctrine realignment involves Air Force Doctrine Publications for operations, command and control, and planning.

Advancing USAF’s ‘One Force Design’ Framework

The modified documents want to ensure that the service is ready to employ airpower to deter and prevail in conflict, USAF Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a memo issued with the publications. “Like our force design, these doctrinal changes developed through deliberate analysis of our rich history while considering the rapidly changing strategic landscape,” Allvin explained.

The updated doctrine supports the military branch’s “One Force Design,” which seeks to bolster structure, capabilities and strategies to meet the demands of contemporary and future warfare. The initiative is designed to address the challenges of modern warfare.

Leveraging Unique Functions and Capabilities

The publications outline the Air Force’s foundational doctrine on applying, commanding, and using airpower to focus on leveraging unique functions and capabilities. They also describe the service’s new C2 concept of aligning its force deployment to respond to Great Power Competition and facilitate joint all-domain operations. In addition, the documents establish the Air Force Planning Process to equip airmen with the tools to solve complex problems, empower units of action and prepare for future joint planning.

According to Maj. Gen. Parker Wright, commander of LeMay Center, the revised publications equip U.S. warfighters with relevant doctrines that align with the country’s national defense strategy.

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