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Data Foundation-Deloitte Survey Identifies AI Adoption as a Priority for Federal CDOs in 2024
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Data Foundation-Deloitte Survey Identifies AI Adoption as a Priority for Federal CDOs in 2024

Chief data officers, or CDOs, in U.S. government agencies are getting better at building their organizational structure, even with the emergence of new challenges such as artificial intelligence implementation, according to a study conducted by the Data Foundation and Deloitte.

The foundation on Tuesday published the 2023 Federal CDO Survey, which showed that 95 percent of the CDOs plan to use AI and other emerging technologies next year.

CDOs are prioritizing information strategy or governance development, data-driven decision-making facilitation and data infrastructure modernization in their agencies, according to the survey.

While 55 percent of the officers reported that they were already using basic or advanced AI in their organization, respondents considering adopting AI in 2024 increased by 50 percent since last year, now amounting to 95 percent, or almost all of the CDOs surveyed.

In light of the findings, the researchers recommended that the leaders establish ethical guidelines for responsibly adopting AI and other technologies.

The study indicates “that providing federal CDOs with more resources and authorities can help agencies maximize the use of data to improve the delivery of important government services for people and families across the country,” said Adita Karkera, CDO for Deloitte’s government and public services practice.

The Potomac Officers Club is bringing together government and private sector officials and experts for the 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 21, 2024. Join them as the look into the future of AI in government contracting. Register now.

POC - 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit
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Senate Confirms 11 Four-Star Military Nominees
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Senate Confirms 11 Four-Star Military Nominees

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the remaining 11 senior military nominees after Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., decided to lift his hold on their nominations, Defense News reported.

The move came weeks after the upper chamber approved 425 military nominees.

The 11 confirmed military leaders are:

  • Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, nominated to serve as head of Air Combat Command
  • Air Force Lt. Gen. Gregory Guillot, nominated to serve as head of U.S. Northern Command
  • Air Force Lt. Gen. James Slife, nominated to serve as vice chief of staff of the Air Force
  • Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider, nominated to serve as commander of Pacific Air Forces
  • Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, nominated to serve as head of U.S. Cyber Command
  • Army Lt. Gen. James Mingus, nominated to serve as vice chief of staff of the Army
  • Navy Vice Adm. James Kilby, nominated to serve as vice chief of Naval operations
  • Navy Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler, nominated to serve as head of U.S. Pacific Fleet
  • Navy Vice Adm. William Houston, nominated to serve as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
  • Space Force Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, nominated to serve as vice chief of Space operations
  • Space Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, nominated to serve as head of U.S. Space Command
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NSA Reiterates Achievements in AI & Defense Against Russia, China in 2023 Cybersecurity Review
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NSA Reiterates Achievements in AI & Defense Against Russia, China in 2023 Cybersecurity Review

Artificial intelligence, online threats from China and the use of quantum computing for malicious activity were among the highlights of this year’s National Security Agency Cybersecurity Year in Review.

The report released Tuesday noted NSA’s accomplishments including the addition of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Center’s AI Security facility and initiatives to address threats from China as well as Russia.

In 2023, NSA collaborated with allies such as Japan and South Korea to detect online threats to China and Russia, including cyber actor BlackTech and a cyberespionage malware called Snake.

In total, the agency blocked 10 billion ransomware, botnets, phishing attempts and suspicious domains.

“Cybersecurity matters. It matters to our partners and it matters to us. It ensures that our information, our intelligence, our knowledge can be shared securely,” remarked U.S. Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, U.S Cyber Commander, chief of the Central Security Service and director of NSA. Nakasone is a seven-time inductee into the Wash100 roster of outstanding leaders in government contracting.

“The combined talent of our partners is the greatest competitive advantage we have to confront the increasingly sophisticated threats we see today,” said Rob Joyce, NSA director of cybersecurity and two-time Wash100 winner.

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Air Force Eyes January Rollout of Platform to Assist in Investment Decision-Making
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Air Force Eyes January Rollout of Platform to Assist in Investment Decision-Making

The U.S. Air Force intends to field in January 2024 the first iteration of a platform meant to allow decision-makers to predict how an investment in one capability might impact an entire program and its budget, Federal News Network reported Tuesday.

Developed by the Air Force in partnership with technology company Rhombus Power, the Rhombus Guardian platform uses meta-models of how the military service works, which can then be tailored to various weapon systems.

The platform will run various applications, which are still undergoing development.

“This tool will allow a senior leader to see the dynamic impacts if you’re going to invest in something — how does it ripple across the ecosystems of the Air Force, readiness, aircraft availability, strategic basing?” Joseph McDade explained to Federal News Network at the recent AFCEA Air Force IT Day.

The Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and programs pointed out, however, the likelihood of bugs shipping out with the platform’s initial rollout and subsequent public criticism.

“Our view of that is if you’ve got valid points, we’ll just roll it into continuous updates,” McDade said.

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ODNI General Counsel Christopher Fonzone Confirmed as DOJ Assistant Attorney General
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ODNI General Counsel Christopher Fonzone Confirmed as DOJ Assistant Attorney General

Christopher Fonzone, general counsel at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence since June 2021, has been confirmed as the assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.

“His confirmation is well deserved, albeit bittersweet for those of us in the Intelligence Community because it means he no longer will serve as ODNI’s General Counsel,” Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said in a statement published Tuesday.

As ODNI’s chief legal officer, Fonzone oversees and coordinates legal issues across the intelligence community.

“We have depended on Chris time and time again for timely, practical, and sound counsel on some of the toughest questions facing the country and I am incredibly heartened to know that his exceptional judgment will now be relied upon by the Attorney General in this incredibly important position,” Haines, a three-time Wash100 awardee, said.

Before joining the IC, he was a partner within the privacy and cybersecurity group at global law firm Sidley Austin, where he focused on legal issues related to cyber and information technology.

He also served as deputy assistant and deputy counsel to the president and legal adviser to the National Security Council during the Obama administration from 2013 to 2017.

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Army Deploys New Contract Writing System to Additional Users
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Army Deploys New Contract Writing System to Additional Users

The U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement have deployed the service branch’s new contract writing platform to an additional 400 users across several locations outside of the continental U.S.

The service expects the total number of Army Contract Writing System users to reach over 500 by January, PEO EIS said Tuesday.

The military branch launched ACWS in August and since then, the contracting workforce has used the system to issue 123 contract awards worth $41 million combined.

Maria Dunton, procurement analyst and ACWS team lead with the ODASA(P), said the Army has conducted a dozen training classes for 379 individuals and considers the feedback received on the system and related training as a “huge success story” for the program.

“It demonstrates we are on the right track with our training strategy,” Dunton said. “We will continue to incorporate feedback from our users into our training and adoption management efforts.”

The Army expects to field the contract writing platform to an additional 2,000 users from various command sites that receive purchase requisitions through the General Fund Enterprise Business System.

Dr. Patrick Baker, Director of the U.S. Army’s DEVCOM, Joins the Panel at POC’s 10th Annual R&D Summit
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Dr. Patrick Baker, Director of the U.S. Army’s DEVCOM, Joins the Panel at POC’s 10th Annual R&D Summit

Dr. Patrick Baker has been with the United States Army since the late 1980s. For four decades, he has served in different organizations under the Army, specializing in engineering, research and development, and science and technology. Since December 2019, Dr. Baker has served as the Director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command.

 

Dr. Baker’s research and development expertise is a crucial addition to the Potomac Officer Club’s 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit on January 31, 2024. He is set to be one of the panelists for the annual event, joining a roster of defense leaders, researchers, experts, and decision-makers in the defense landscape.

 

Discover Dr. Patrick Baker’s professional life, making him one of the most prominent executives for defense research and development.

 

About Dr. Patrick Baker

 

Dr. Patrick Baker
Image from DEVCOM of U.S. Army

 

Equipped with over four decades of experience in different Army organizations, Dr. Patrick J. Baker earned a designation in the Senior Executive Service in May 2012. This has been crucial for landing his current role as the Director of the U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory.

 

Dr. Baker’s demonstrated leadership is reflected in his pioneering research programs for scientific advancements in the Army. It also echoed through the approximately sixty publications and reports he authored or co-authored. Dr. Baker’s proven track record under various Army offices places him as a highly acclaimed executive for defense research and development.

 

Dr. Patrick Baker’s awards and achievements

 

Dr. Patrick Baker’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed in the defense research and development field. He received numerous honors and awards, including:

  • Exceptional Civilian Service Award (2012)
  • Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2008)
  • The Technical Cooperation Panel, Distinguished Service Award (2018)
  • Army’s Greatest Invention Award (2008)
  • Joint Army Navy NASA Air Force – Propulsion Systems Hazards Subcommittee, Outstanding Sustained Contribution Award (2002)

 

Dr. Patrick Baker, Director of the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

 

As the Director of the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Dr. Patrick Baker manages all the research and development efforts of the Army’s premier laboratory. His command comprises basic and applied research of weapons, sensors, computational sciences, human engineering, and vehicle technology. 

 

Encompassing Dr. Baker’s authority of the DEVCOM are approximately 2,000 civilian and military employees. Under his leadership, the office handles the execution of the extramural basic research program for the Army’s science and engineering development. Dr. Baker manages an annual budget of over $1 billion.

 

Dr. Patrick Baker, Panel for the 10th Annual Defense Research and Development Summit

Annual Defense R&D Summit

Dr. Patrick Baker is one of the panel speakers at the Potomac Officers Club’s 10th Annual Defense Research and Development Summit. As the Director of the Army’s leading research laboratory, he is set to share the efforts his office develops to strengthen the nation’s weapons and technological capacities.

 

Speaking for the annual summit’s Panel B: The Great Power Competition, Dr. Baker is joined by other panelists and a moderator, namely:

  • Captain Jesse H. Black, Commanding Officer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
  • Brigadier General Scott Cain, Commander at the Air Force Research Lab
  • Dr. Randy Yamada, Vice President at Booz Allen

 

About the 10th Annual Defense Research and Development Summit

  • Organizer: Potomac Officers Club
  • Date: January 31, 2024 (7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – ET)
  • Location: TBA
  • Sponsors: Ericsson, Nokia, Riverside Research, Ultra Intelligence & Communications, Digital Science, Oceus, Box, and Booz Allen

 

The 10th Annual Defense Research and Development Summit explores the joint efforts of the public and private sectors in creating cutting-edge technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. Other notable executives joining Dr. Patrick Baker at the summit are Rear Admiral Tracy Farrill, Brigadier General John M. Cushing, Aditi Kumar, Jay Dryer, and more.

 

Key topics of interest the panelists are set to discuss include:

 

  • Panel A: Innovation to Implementation
  • Panel B: The Great Power Competition
  • Panel A: The New Virtual Battlespace
  • Panel B: Technological Overmatch
  • Panel A: Intelligent NetOps
  • Panel B: Unlocking potential for R&D results with AI

Join the 10th Annual Defense R&D Summit, organized by the Potomac Officers Club, to commence on January 31, 2024. Click this link to register early.

HHS Data Strategy to Expand Access to Necessary Cancer Research Information
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HHS Data Strategy to Expand Access to Necessary Cancer Research Information

A new data strategy published by the Department of Health and Human Services is prioritizing information accessibility for advanced cancer research as part of the Biden administration’s Cancer Moonshot initiative.

HHS on Thursday unveiled the strategy’s main goals including cultivating talent, fostering information sharing, connecting human services data, making program operations data-centered and leveraging artificial intelligence.

The agency pledged to responsibly use AI to improve the quality, access and health and human services outcomes. It also delegated the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to oversee the interoperability of not only healthcare, but human services as well.

“Synthesizing the vast amount of data across the full spectrum of cancer research and clinical care will be our best bet for reducing the cancer death rate by 50% within 25 years,” said Monica Bertagnolli, director of the National Institutes of Health.

DOE Office Introduces Vision to Advance Fusion Energy S&T Goals
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DOE Office Introduces Vision to Advance Fusion Energy S&T Goals

The Department of Energy’s Office of Fusion Energy Sciences has released its new vision outlining DOE’s priorities to advance fusion energy by resolving fusion materials and technology gaps in the supply chain.

The Building Bridges plan aims to align the department’s FES program with the Biden administration’s Bold Decadal Vision for Commercial Fusion Energy, which is designed to build new technologies to enable fusion-pilot-plant designs to achieve clean energy goals, DOE said Thursday.

According to the document, FES seeks to collaborate with partners in the government, academia and the private sector on a staged approach to fusion energy development.

These partnerships will strengthen workforce development and sustainment, resolve research and development gaps and nurture plasma science and technology breakthroughs.

“As a part of these efforts, we will broaden and diversify program elements in FES, including emerging plasma concepts to reflect discovery plasma science and technology that could ultimately have a broad impact in society,” said Jean Paul Allain, associate director for FES at DOE.

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NASA Beams High Data Rate Video From Deep Space as Part of Optical Communications Demonstrator
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NASA Beams High Data Rate Video From Deep Space as Part of Optical Communications Demonstrator

NASA has transmitted an ultra-high definition streaming video from the Psyche mission spacecraft at a distance of 19 million miles from Earth.

The space agency said Monday that the transmission is part of its Deep Space Optical Communications experiment, which seeks to demonstrate a laser communication capability meant to transmit data from deep space at up to 100 times faster than the rates that state-of-the-art radio frequency systems can offer.

The video was beamed from the flight laser transceiver aboard the Psyche spacecraft to the Hale Telescope at the California Institute of Technology’s Palomar Observatory in the form of an encoded infrared laser with a bit rate of 267 megabits per second.

The video is a looped footage of a cat belonging to a Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee. The video shows the cat chasing a laser pointer while overlayed graphics show various types of information related to the Psyche mission.

After reaching Palomar, the video was sent via the internet to the JPL at a speed slower than its transmission from deep space, according to JPL’s Ryan Rogalin, leader of the project’s receiver electronics. The video had taken 101 seconds to travel from the Psyche spacecraft to Earth.

The transmission of high data rate signals will continue up to the farthest distance of Mars from Earth as the Psyche mission heads to its target asteroid between Mars and Jupiter.

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