A Former CDC AI Chief’s Advice for Navigating Careers Beyond Government

After 15 years in federal service, Travis Hoppe has spent his career at the intersection of science, data and artificial intelligence. He began as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institutes of Health studying protein folding before moving into data analytics and early AI initiatives at NIH’s Office of the Director. He later joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serving as data science lead for the National Center for Health Statistics and eventually becoming the agency’s first chief AI officer. His federal career also included a stint at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as assistant director for AI research and development.

Now serving as chief AI officer at GroundVue, Hoppe is applying AI to help city and county leaders analyze public meetings, identify policy trends and make more informed decisions. Hoppe joined Fed Snacks to reflect on his transition from public service to the private sector, the evolving role of AI in government and why professionals considering their next step should prioritize organizations that align with their values and commitment to public impact.