Federal AI Innovators Recognized at GovCIO Media & Research’s 2026 AI Summit
GovCIO Media & Research has announced finalists for the 2026 Critical Infrastructure Security Summit Flywheel Awards, celebrating federal technology leaders driving innovation and advancing mission‑focused modernization across government.
November 9, 2026
Tysons, VA – GovCIO Media & Research, hosted its AI Summit on November 6 in Tysons, bringing together leaders from across government and industry to explore the opportunities, challenges and future of artificial intelligence in the federal landscape. During the event, federal innovators were recognized with Flywheel Awards for their leadership in accelerating AI adoption, advancing responsible governance, modernizing public services and driving mission outcomes through emerging technologies.
“These awards recognize the visionary leaders who are harnessing AI to transform government and deliver meaningful results for the public,” said GovCIO Media & Research President Michael Hoffman. “At AI Summit, we were proud to bring together changemakers who are shaping the future of federal innovation through responsible, impactful and forward-thinking use of artificial intelligence.”
The awards presentation featured five categories: Rising Star, AI Innovator, AI Talent Advocate, AI Mission Impact and CAIO of the Year.
The 2026 AI Summit Flywheel Awards winners were:
Rising Star:
Nathan Lansky, Senior Paralegal NCO, 4th Legal operations Detachment, Army Reserve Legal Command
AI Talent Advocate:
Maj. Christopher Clark, AI Lead, Marine Corps
AI Innovator:
Anil Chaudhry, Senior Advisor, Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence, DOT
Paula Osborn, Deputy Chief Data & SI Officer (DCDSO), State Department
AI Mission Impact:
Lisa Walbert, CIO, DEA
CAIO of the Year:
Kevin Murphy, Acting Chief Data & Super Intelligence Officer , NASA
Visit the AI Summit page to view the event recap, session recordings and top takeaways.
About GovCIO Media & Research
GovCIO Media & Research, an independent media company, provides insights and analysis on federal IT innovation and is the leading industry solutions resource. Our team utilizes a multi-platform approach to today’s most pressing issues through video, podcasts, events, articles and special reports that keep federal IT decision-makers informed on technology’s impact on government.
Visit https://govciomedia.com/ for more information.
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