AI Building Blocks
00 Days 01 Hours 21 Minutes 18 Seconds |
This half-day workshop equips federal IT leaders with foundational AI knowledge. You’ll walk away with these key takeaways:
- Master key AI concepts: Understand essential AI terminology and its relevance to federal IT.
- Explore everyday use cases: Discover real-world examples of how AI transforms government operations.
- Ask the right questions: Learn how to consider responsible AI use and practice effective prompting with various AI tools.

New directives from the presidential administration have prioritized artificial intelligence, introducing new goals for federal tech development and elevating the role of agency chief artificial intelligence officers. Hear from the Central Intelligence Agency’s CAIO on how the agency is approaching AI, shaping strategies around the tech and driving innovation.
Speakers
-
Moderator Amy Kluber Editor-in-Chief GovCIO Media & Research
-
Lakshmi Raman CAIO and AI Director, CIA
This session will ground participants in the foundational concepts of AI with a specific focus on what matters most in a federal context. It will explore the differences between commercial tools like GPT and custom-built agency AI solutions, including their varying benefits, implementation strategies and governance requirements. Participants will also explore how data quality and long-term governance are often the sticking points in AI implementation.
Speaker
-
Taka Ariga Former Chief AI Officer and Chief Data Officer, OPM and Founder of Sol Imagination
AI leaders are developing, implementing and assessing AI strategies to accelerate mission outcomes and ensure thoughtful innovation across agencies. Hear from experts on how they envision AI transforming federal operations, advancing national priorities and staying ahead of emerging technological challenges.
Speakers
-
Moderator Sarah Sybert Managing Editor, GovCIO Media & Research
-
David Aha Director of the AI Center, NRL
-
Wole Moses CAIO, Federal Civilian Microsoft
-
Martin Stanley AI and Cybersecurity Researcher, ITL, NIST
-
Zach Whitman Chief Data Scientist and CAIO, GSA
This practical session focuses on real-world AI use cases and how they can be implemented to support federal missions. Rather than theoretical discussions, participants will dive into examples of how AI is already being used to solve agency challenges. Microsoft’s experience with public-sector partners will inform discussion around best practices, with a focus on empowering agencies to confidently adopt AI that drives efficiency and innovation.
Speaker
-
Wole Moses CAIO, Federal Civilian, Microsoft
This session focuses on what comes after initial AI experimentation to scale responsibly, efficiently and with strong governance. This training will provide guidance on scaling AI in a way that is sustainable and mission-driven. The session will also explore strategies for accelerating AI adoption while avoiding common pitfalls.
Speaker
-
Dave Erickson Distinguished Architect, Elastic
-
Lakshmi Raman CAIO and AI Director, CIA
-
Zach Whitman Chief Data Scientist and CAIO, GSA
-
David Aha Director of the AI Center, NRL
-
Taka Ariga Former Chief AI Officer and Chief Data Officer, OPM and Founder of Sol Imagination
-
Wole Moses CAIO, Federal Civilian, Microsoft
-
Dave Erickson Distinguished Architect, Elastic
-
Martin Stanley AI and Cybersecurity Researcher, ITL, NIST
Hear From Prior Attendees

“Content was great. Wonderful to hear from members the real-world case studies presented in the Lightning Talks.”
– Director, Vulnerability Disclosure Program, DC3
“Great overview of the technology, where it’s at in federal workspace. Speakers were knowledgeable, accessible.”
– IT Specialist, Configuration Management, VA
“Nice overview of vocabulary, how to understand AI and some things to look for.”
– Communication Analyst, ITADD, FBI

-
DOL Turns to Workforce Development to Maintain AI Superiority
DOL is bridging the AI skills gap through partnerships and upskilling to ensure future AI workforce readiness.
10m watch -
Trump’s Executive Order Spurs Federal Push for AI Literacy
Agencies are ramping up AI literacy efforts across the federal workforce and education systems after Trump's executive order on AI education.
5m read -
AWS Summit: A DOE National Lab Uses GenAI to Boost Efficiency
Lawrence Livermore National Lab launches a new generative AI tool to drive operational efficiency at the National Ignition Facility.
9m listen -
VHA’s AI Chief Led NIH’s New AI RFI
The agency's AI chief Gil Alterovitz helped develop a plan that hints at how NIH is charting the future of AI and biomedical research.
5m read