AI in Action Workshop

Karen S Howard has led the IRS’s Office of Online Services since August of 2024, brining over four decades of private-sector and entrepreneurial experience in retail, manufacturing, financial services and digital marketing to the federal government.

In her role, she oversees a team of 200+ federal and contracted subject matter experts responsible for transforming taxpayer interactions on IRS.gov, ensuring simplified access to tax information and enabling seamless digital interactions.

Ms. Howard leverages her extensive Digital Experience Leadership to guide vision, strategy and operational excellence across four key divisions: Administrative Operations, Digital Products, IRS.gov Product Services and User Experience Services & Research. She champions user-centered approaches that blend real-world insights with stakeholder needs to continuously refine the online tax-filing journey. Her success is largely attributed to constantly advocating for agile methodologies, robust data analytics, and advanced digital capabilities – including AI-powered services -to elevate all user’s experience.

Before her public sector tenure, Karen held multiple mid- and senior level roles with leading organizations across diverse verticals. These positions shaped her proficiency in marketing, operations, e-commerce, content strategy, user experience, master data management and digital transformation.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University along with professional certifications in Project Management, Product Management, Data Management, Human Computer Interaction (HCI- University of Md.) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fundamentals (to name a few).

Karen is a 2024 Federal 100 Award Honoree and has led her team in five years of recognition in the Service to the Citizen Award and two years of GITEC Award Nominations.

Karen’s leadership philosophy centers on remaining a respected mentor and advocate, embracing career resilience and continual reinvention. She emphasizes championing women in technology and inspiring junior professionals, often sharing the mantra, “trust your process and your progress” – highlighting the importance of lateral moves, continuously learning and adaptability.

Karen S. Howard is a transformational leader helping to steer the IRS’s digital evolution. With a unique fusion of private-sector savvy and public service dedication, she drives and empowered, empathetic and tech-forward online taxpayer experience. Her commitment to user-centric innovation, operational agility, and mentorship positions her as a vital force in modernizing federal digital services.

In her spare time, Karen continues to serve the public in North Carolina as a Mobile Notary Public and Signing Agent and Guardian Ad Litem.

As founder and CEO of the American Institute of Artificial Intelligence and leader at the forefront of the modern Artificial Intelligence revolution, Dr. Ali Naqvi has been instrumental in guiding dozens of governments, hundreds of companies, and thousands of professionals as they navigate the complexities of AI adoption. With a deep specialization in Artificial Intelligence, he crafts national AI strategies, innovative AI business models, AI transformative programs, and career development pathways that empower the future of AI.

Dr. Naqvi is driven by a mission to responsibly revolutionize the world with AI, with a bold ambition to generate $1 trillion in value for underprivileged communities and developing nations. His multifaceted expertise spans across being an AI inventor with hands-on experience in designing Large Language Models (LLMs), implementing machine learning algorithms, and developing advanced representation models; serving in C-level leadership roles within Fortune 100 companies; founding and leading a $30 million investment venture-funded tech startup; holding partner-level positions in top-tier strategy consulting; and excelling as a senior-level investment banker. Additionally, he has dedicated over a decade as a master’s/doctorate level professor, nurturing the next generation of AI leaders.

Harnessing his extensive interdisciplinary experience, Dr. Naqvi has pioneered multiple subfields in Applied AI and established a comprehensive body of knowledge across diverse sectors, including Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Marketing, Audit, Government, National Strategy Development, Law Enforcement, Competitive Intelligence, Healthcare, Defense, Intelligence, AI Governance and Ethics, Climate Change, and ESG.

In 2016, Dr. Naqvi founded the American Institute of Artificial Intelligence, now recognized as a global authority in AI education and certification. The institute’s flagship program, the Certified Generative AI CGENAI™ certification, is a testament to his commitment to excellence in AI professional development.

Recently, Dr. Naqvi has concentrated on advancing Generative AI, creating pioneering knowledge and programs in areas such as GenAI in Diplomacy, Healthcare, Finance, Competitive Intelligence, Supply Chain, and Intelligence/Law Enforcement.

As the author/editor of a dozen books, including three published by Wiley, he frequently speaks at international conferences. Dr. Naqvi’s prolific contributions, including articles, blogs, social media insights, and podcasts, continue to shape the global AI landscape daily.

Glenn Parham previously served as the DoD’s first technical lead for Generative AI via Task Force Lima, responsible for enabling Generative AI across DOD. He is currently the CEO for GovBench, working on AI and government alignment.

Paul W. Grimm is the David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School. From December 2012 until his retirement in December 2022, he served as a district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, with chambers in Greenbelt, Maryland. From 1997 to 2012, he was a magistrate judge in the same court, serving as chief magistrate judge from 2006 through 2012. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Baltimore School of Law and the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, where he taught courses on evidence and discovery. He also has written extensively and taught courses for lawyers and judges in the United States and around the world on topics relating to e-discovery, technology and law, and evidence. Judge Grimm served on the Advisory Committee for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure from 2009 to 2015 and chaired its discovery subcommittee, which crafted, in part, the 2015 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He graduated with an A.B. (with highest honors) from the University of California–Davis in 1973. He received his J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from the University of New Mexico in 1976, and an LL.M. (Master of Judicial Studies) from Duke University in 2016. Judge Grimm served both on active duty and in the Army Reserve as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer and retired in the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Joshua Powell became the first Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) and permanent Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection in January of 2025. In this pioneering role, Mr. Powell will spearhead efforts to create an ecosystem of innovation at CBP that extends beyond technology. He will lead collaboration efforts across the agency while developing and executing CBP’s comprehensive strategies for innovation and artificial intelligence (AI). His responsibilities include driving business and process innovation, integrating AI into CBP operations, and identifying and deploying cutting-edge technologies to strengthen border security, enhance officer and agent safety, and advance CBP’s lawful trade and travel missions.

Mr. Powell’s appointment as CINO follows an impressive tenure of leadership and innovation at CBP. In October 2023, he became the first Acting Director of AI Implementation and was later appointed as the inaugural Deputy Chief AI Officer (DCAIO) in July 2024. As DCAIO, he championed AI governance and oversaw the operational deployment of new and existing AI tools, positioning CBP to responsibly adopt emerging technologies while enhancing mission effectiveness and national security.

A founding member of CBP’s Innovation Team (CBP INVNT), which resides in the Office of the Commissioner, Mr. Powell has played a pivotal role in identifying, adapting, and delivering transformative commercial technologies to enhance frontline safety and effectiveness. As Deputy Director of CBP INVNT, starting in November 2021, he institutionalized innovative approaches and led the adoption of next-generation technologies from the startup community, facilitating the transition of over 30 pilot projects into long-term enterprise solutions. His work was integral in deploying the next generation of Autonomous Surveillance Towers and other autonomous technologies along the southern, northern, and coastal borders.

Mr. Powell’s career began in 2007 as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent assigned to Tucson Sector’s Tucson Station after graduating with Academy Class 722. Over the years, he has built extensive expertise in surveillance and border security technologies, serving as a Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, Operations Officer, and Assistant Chief in various leadership roles. In April 2024, CBP’s Office of Information Technology recognized him for his contributions to STEM innovation and his leadership in delivering game-changing IT capabilities to support CBP’s critical missions.

Mr. Powell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, as well as a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.

Alexis Bonnell is the Partnership Manager for the U.S. National Labs Partnership at OpenAI, focused on leveraging AI to drive scientific discovery and advance national security. Previous to this role, Alexis was the Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capability Directorate of the Air Force Research Lab, the premier science and discovery lab serving the Air Force and Space Force. While CIO, she launched the U.S Government and DOD’s largest scalable Generative AI Research platform and tool.

Alexis was one of the founding members of the Internet’s original Trade Association, served as a Chief Profit Officer for companies transitioning to a digital existence, and applied her communications, project management, innovation, and technology application skills in over 20 warzones, global disasters, and major transformation projects for the United Nations.

At USAID, she co-founded the U.S Global Development Lab, was Chief of Applied Innovation & Acceleration, tackling the critical challenge of innovation adoption and institutionalization, and served as USAID’s Chief Innovation Officer. Alexis served as Google’s Emerging Technology Evangelist for Public Sector and Strategic Business Executive, where she worked with State, Local, Federal, DOD, and International Governments to apply emerging technologies like AI to public sector challenges, including the COVID response. She dedicates her time to helping public servants leverage technology to catalyze their missions, solving the world’s toughest challenges.

Josh Phifer is a Principal Solutions Architect at Elastic, where he specializes in Search AI. He helps organizations unlock real-world value by leveraging Elastic’s Search AI platform to improve business operation

Anna Libkhen is a Cybersecurity and Technology Architect with 25 years of experience in software development, database administration and cyber defense.

Scientist/Engineer by day, and performing artist by night, Anna combines strong analytical and problem-solving skills with creative solutions, curiosity, critical thinking, and understanding complex situations.
Anna is a strategist, an architect, a dedicated professional, a dancer, a peacemaker, and above all — a mom.

Anna’s experience spans from software development for a major Wall Street company in NYC to technical team lead in Bangalore (India) to Database Administrator and cyber warrior defending government networks and operations in Washington, D.C.

Anna is an avid learner, a critical thinker, and an engaging speaker, passionate about her role as a cybersecurity specialist, always looking forward to collaborating with organizations and academia, where she can contribute, learn, and grow together in the ever-evolving world of IT and security.

Anna Libkhen holds MA in Global Security from Johns Hopkins University, Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University, and BS in Computer Science with Minor in Economics from City University of New York (Brooklyn College).

Dr. Julie Obenauer-Motley is a Responsible AI Analyst at the Johns Hopkins University – Applied Physics Lab, where They lead the AI and Autonomy for Strategic Advantage capability. Their current work focuses on advising senior U.S. and Department of Defense leaders on AI policy, governance, implementation, and operational integration. They have authored and supported guidance, policy, and practice across the DoD and in international fora and have led strategic workshops and high-level working groups on bleeding-edge AI uses, such generative AI, high-consequence AI applications, and human enhancement technologies.

They also hold an appointment as adjunct faculty teaching AI Assurance at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Prior to their AI work, they served as a Sr. Statistician using AI and ML across a diverse set of JHU/APL Sponsors.

Dr. Obenauer-Motley holds a Doctor of Public Health from East Tennessee State University and a Master’s in Health Science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, both in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Bachelor’s in the History of Science from the University of Florida.