Federal AI Implementation for Data Management

James Bench is a consultant for federal government leadership, specializing in digital transformation to improve the spend and security of interactions for citizens and government employees. He has a track record of successful allocating resources and fostering inter-disciplinary collaborations to meet agency objectives and sustain productivity.

Throughout his career James has focused on aligning technical solutions and mission challenges. He is an expert in cloud computing, application modernization, information management, and agile methodologies. His ability to effectively communicate the value of innovative technical solutions has led to increased understanding and adoption among stakeholders.

James is also a recognized thought leader on emerging technology in the federal government. He provides a practical approach to deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning, and how to gain insights from mission data. He also advises how to use technology and automation to meet service demands and adjust to workforce availability.

Natalie Buda Smith is the Director of Digital Strategy for the Library of Congress, charged with artificial intelligence, and innovation. A leader in digital transformation and innovation through data, emerging technologies, and customer insight; she has been engaged in research, planning, designing, and developing technology platforms and experiences for a variety of organizations in the United States, India, and Europe for over 30 years.

Brian J. Peretti is a career member of the Senior Executive Service at the United States Department of the Treasury. He serves as Treasury’s Deputy Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer and Director, Domestic and International Cybersecurity Policy in the Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection (OCCIP).

As Treasury’s Deputy Chief AI Officer, Mr. Peretti supports Treasury’s Chief AI Officer in advancing the Department’s deployment of this emerging technology. In this capacity, he oversaw the publication of Treasury’s report, Managing Artificial Intelligence-Specific Cybersecurity Risks in the Financial Services Sector, and directs the subsequent lines of effort. Additionally, serving in this position has seen him designated as the Executive Officer for the Department’s AI Governance Board as well as the Department’s representative to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s CAIO Council.

In addition, Mr. Peretti leads the development of domestic and international operational resilience policy, including cyber, as part of Treasury’s Sector Risk Management Agency responsibility for the financial services sector. In this role, he spearheads Treasury’s efforts to increase multi-directional sharing of cyber threat and vulnerability information. He also serves as United States’s designated subject matter expert at the Group of 7 Cyber Expert Group (G-7 CEG).

Mr. Peretti has served at the Treasury for over 22 years with increasing levels of responsibility, including being named the Senior Career Official Executing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions during the transition from the Obama to the Trump Administration. Based on his expertise in critical infrastructure protection and the operational resilience of the financial services sector, during the United States initial response phase to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was detailed to
the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s National Risk Management Center and served as the first Senior Advisor for Security and the Economy, leveraging his extensive background in financial services operational resilience.

A sought-after speaker and presenter, Mr. Peretti has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Most recently, he received the 12th Annual Billington CyberSecurity Leadership Award at the 2023 Annual Billington CyberSecurity Summit. Prior to joining the Treasury, Mr. Peretti was an associate in Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Corporate Banking and Finance Section in Washington, D.C., and was the General Counsel for the Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union. He has authored numerous publications related to financial sector operations, including payment systems.

Mr. Peretti received his bachelor’s degree from Rider University (cum laude) in 1989, and his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law (cum laude) in 1992. He lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife, Kimberly Peretti.