GovAI Summit SLED | Reston, VA

8:00am - 8:15am • 5W Mainstage

Unchartered Territory: Navigating the AI Frontier From Privacy and Ethics to Metaverse and Crypto

The world of AI is not new; it's just bigger, faster, and more sophisticated.

From life-saving applications in medicine, government procurement, financial services, education, or social media, to the challenges of algorithmic bias or the evolution of AI agents, the creation of transparent, reliable, and agile frameworks is crucial for our national progress and security. Join us as we delve into present and future possibilities at the frontier of Artificial Intelligence.

Michelle Maldonado
Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
Executive Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy, Member, National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL)

8:15am - 8:40am • 5W Mainstage

Safeguarding AI: How to Manage AI and its Potential Risks

This discussion will dive into the significant risks accompanying AI adoption and use. Speakers will evaluate existing and emerging regulations aimed at monitoring AI trustworthiness and compliance, providing guidance for government agencies to enhance risk management capabilities. The session will cover frameworks like NIST's AI RMF, recent federal policies, and strategies for integrating processes to reap AI's benefits responsibly.

Beju Rao
CEO
Amruta

Michael Cannon
Former CTO
Stafford County, VA

Wes Chaar
Strategic Advisor
datafuelX

8:40am - 9:20am • 5W Mainstage

Panel: Resilience Strategies for Cybersecurity in Government

With cyber threats constantly evolving, this panel will focus on building resilient cybersecurity strategies for state and local government organizations and agencies. Experts will share best practices for risk mitigation, incident response, continuity planning, and cultivating a robust cyber workforce to protect critical systems and data assets.

Amy Henninger
Sr. Advisor, Advanced Computing
DHS

Bill Jewell
CIO
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Michael Cannon
Former CTO
Stafford County, VA

9:20am - 9:40am • 5W Mainstage

Adversarial AI: Why it Matters Now

Adversarial AI attacks pose an emerging threat to government systems. In this talk, Dept of Homeland Security Sr. Advisor, Amy Henninger, will outline some of the risks adversarial AI presents specifically for state and local agencies. They'll cover why this issue matters now for municipalities and how to start building defenses against adversarial vulnerabilities.

Amy Henninger
Senior Advisor and Branch Chief, Advanced Computing
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

9:40am - 10:20am • 5W Mainstage

Transforming State and Local Government and Education with AI-Powered Apps

In this session, we explore the intersection of AI and public services, specifically tailored for state and local government agencies. Our journey begins with AI conversational assistants, which play a pivotal role in enhancing citizen engagement, streamlining administrative workflows, and delivering improved citizen services. We’ll dive into real-world use cases, sharing success stories from various government sectors. We’ll also delve into the foundational components that empower agencies to build and modernize AI applications that drive mission delivery and elevate digital experiences.

Sachin Sinha
Director, Technology Strategy
Microsoft

Holly Hartell
Assistant CIO, Strategic Initiatives
Arlington County, VA

9:30am - 10:30am • Conference 1 (1st Floor)

Ethical AI Development: Leveraging Human-Centered Design for Inclusive and Trustworthy Solutions

As excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow, there is a risk of hastily implementing AI tools without fully understanding the underlying problems we aim to solve. AI is often heralded as a "human accelerator," but the critical question is: What are we accelerating? Before brainstorming solutions or racing to deploy AI, we must first find the right problem to solve - one that truly addresses human needs and concerns.

This talk and/or workshop will introduce the value of conducting human-centered design workshops when developing ethical AI initiatives. Human-centered design upholds the principle of understanding the problem space before defining solutions. By involving end-users and stakeholders through inclusive workshops, teams can uncover core challenges, fears, and insights that may otherwise remain hidden.

Thelma Van
UX Design Xpert & Managing Consultant
Excella

9:20am - 9:50am • Conference 102W (1st Floor)

Developing GenAI Application Security Testing and Validation Standards

The World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) is a non-governmental organization established under the United Nations framework, that will publish comprehensive testing and validation standard for ensuring the security and reliability of Generative AI applications at 27th UN Conference on technology development In this session, I will introduce the WDTA AI-STR-01 standard, which outlines a detailed approach to testing and validating the security of AI applications across the entire AI application stack.

Ken Huang
Co Chair of WDTA AI STR Working Group
World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA)

10:00am - 10:30am • Conference 102W (1st Floor)

Horizontal Data Integration: Tactics and Strategies

In this session, we will explore how the U.S. Army is leveraging machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance horizontal data integration and improve decision-making processes for military commanders. By harnessing the power of data, ML, and AI, commanders can make rapid, informed decisions and gain insights into potential outcomes 30-60 days in advance. The session will also discuss future projects, such as low-latency data transport using LiFi and NFC technologies, and the use of RAGs to vector data to authoritative sources for enhanced decision support.

Jason Spalding
Data Analyst
U.S. Army

10:20am - 10:40am • 5W Mainstage

Policy Implications of AI in Governance

As AI governance frameworks take shape, this talk will unpack some of the policy implications across different levels of government, including at the state, county, and local levels. Morgan Reed, President for ACT | The App Association will provide research and insights into regulations and policy futures that allow innovation while mitigating risks as AI permeates the public sector.

Caleb Williamson
State Public Policy Counsel
ACT | The App Association

10:40am - 11:20am • 5W Mainstage

Panel: Ethics and Regulations in AI Governance

Continuing this block on AI Policy & Ethics, this panel will delve into the critical ethical considerations and potential regulations around governing AI systems in the public sphere. Our experts will discuss approaches to upholding core democratic values like transparency, accountability, and protecting civil liberties as AI use expands across government.

Caleb Williamson
State Public Policy Counsel
ACT | The App Association

Michelle Maldonado
Delegate
Virginia House of Delegates

Traci Lee
State & Local Gov't Affairs Lead
OpenAI

Tatiana Rice
Deputy Director, U.S. Legislation
Future of Privacy Forum

10:20am - 11:20am • Conference 1 (1st Floor)

Tactics For Smartly Using GenAI in Local and State Government

GenAI and LLMs are the new buzzwords, but how can you actually apply these technologies to your use case(s). In this talk, we will understand how to define use cases into transactional, informational, and generative. We will then cover real life examples of stateful and non stateful flows which you'll be able to apply to your current, potential, and future use cases.

Nick Dokich
Lead Conversational AI Consultant
Google

10:20am - 11:20am • Conference 102W (1st Floor)

The Elephant in your Dataset: Addressing Bias in Machine Learning

As AI continues to shape decision-making in both public and private sectors, it is crucial for technologists and leaders to be equipped with the tools to understand and address bias. This session will explore the complex origins of harmful bias in AI: from societal prejudices now embedded in data to engineering choices that can also result in unfair outcomes. Attendees will learn practical strategies for identifying and mitigating bias, empowering them with the insights needed to guide their teams towards building ethical and fair AI systems.

Michelle Frost
Senior Developer
Crema

11:20am - 11:50pm • 5W Mainstage

Preparing State and Local Government Workforces for AI Adoption

As state and local governments look to harness the potential of artificial intelligence, preparing the workforce is a critical priority. This session will explore practical strategies for upskilling current staff, attracting AI talent, building multidisciplinary teams, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Best practices and case studies from pioneering government agencies will be shared. Attendees will leave with a roadmap and concrete next steps for developing the AI skills and talent needed for successful adoption.

Michelle Lentz
Senior Learning and AI Strategist
ELB Learning

11:55am - 12:25pm • 5W Mainstage

Harnessing GenAI to Strengthen Resource Allocation and Budget Buy-In

In this talk tailored for state and local agencies and departments, join us to hear how the DoD is exploring how generative AI can boost productivity as a knowledge partner and data assistant — to help analysts and agency leaders draft stronger, more compelling budget and resource allocation justification narratives.

Nichole Hyter
NGRMS Program Manager
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (DoD)

Riya Jung
Director, Digital Transformation
CACI

11:20am - 12:20pm • Conference 1 (1st Floor)

Generative AI Agents: How they Work and How to Build One

Generative AI agents represent the next wave of AI adoption in the enterprise, driving a new era of business productivity. In this talk, we will discuss all you need to know about this exciting new technology and explain why it will change the way we work — including:

The underlying architecture of how generative AI agents work
A step-by-step guide on designing and developing AI agents
Practical hands-on code walkthrough to help you build your own agent

Michael Yee
Founder & Technical Lead
TIGA.AI

11:20am - 12:20pm • Conference 102W (1st Floor)

Creation of the ML-BOM: Leveraging SBOMs for Transparent AI Model Sharing in Government

The presentation delves into the use and specifics for creating a Machine Learning Bill of Materials (ML-BOM) to improve transparency and collaboration in AI model development across government agencies. It highlights the utility of transfer learning and the need for central model access to enhance scalability and reduce resource requirements. The ML-BOM would provide visibility into model components, data provenance, and dependencies, fostering interoperability and knowledge sharing between data scientists and agencies.

Lucy Hyde
Data Scientist
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

12:30pm - 12:45pm • 5W Mainstage

Transforming Citizen Services with AI: Insights from DC 311

In this fireside chat, we will sit down with representatives from DC 311 to discuss how they are revolutionizing citizen services management through the implementation of artificial intelligence. Our guests will share their experiences, challenges, and successes in leveraging AI to streamline processes, improve response times, and enhance the overall quality of service for residents of the district. Join us for an engaging conversation that explores the future of AI-driven citizen services and the potential for these innovative solutions to be adopted by other cities and municipalities.

Yasser El-Haggan
Founder & CEO
Pronetx

Cynthia Romero
Unified Communications Manager, OCTO
DC Government

12:45pm - 1:45pm • 5W Conference Area

Lunch Break

1:45pm - 2:15pm • 5W Mainstage

AI for Government Efficiency with ChatGPT: From Hype to Reality

Join Felipe Millon, OpenAI’s government market leader, as he discusses how AI is moving beyond the hype and into practical applications that drive internal productivity in government. This session will explore how OpenAI’s technologies, including ChatGPT Enterprise, are being implemented to streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance decision-making processes within state and local agencies. Felipe will share real-world examples, a live demo, and strategies for deploying AI to achieve tangible productivity gains and operational efficiencies.

Felipe Millon
Public Sector Sales Lead
OpenAI

Adam Taha
Director, Enterprise Translations Office
State of Minnesota

2:15pm - 2:35pm • 5W Mainstage

AI Powered Policing: Enhancing Public and Cyber Security

As artificial intelligence pervades both the physical and digital worlds, this session explores the potential and risks of applying AI to law enforcement. Richland County (SC) Sheriff Dept's Glenn Remsen will share case studies from their existing pilot programs to illuminate cybersecurity at the public scale, and what the future of AI could look like in law enforcement.

Glenn Remsen
Deputy
Richland County (SC) Sheriff's Department

2:35pm - 2:55pm • 5W Mainstage

From Socrates to Siri: Embracing AI in Education as an Ally, Not an Adversary

Journey through history and innovation as we explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in education. This session will challenge perceptions and inspire educators to embrace AI as a valuable ally in the classroom. Through interactive activities and challenges utilizing AI tools and insightful discussions, participants will discover practical strategies for integrating AI into teaching practices, empowering them to enhance learning experiences and prepare students for the future.

Brittany Bernard
Educational Technology Lead
DC Public Schools

2:55pm - 3:30pm • 5W Mainstage

Empowering Students and Teachers: AI's Role in Personalized Learning and Career Readiness

This panel brings together experts from the public education ecosystem to discuss how AI can be leveraged to empower students and teachers through personalized learning experiences and career readiness initiatives. Speakers will explore AI's potential to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in the 21st-century workforce, while also supporting teachers in providing targeted, data-driven instruction. The panel will also address the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in education, such as ensuring fairness, transparency, and privacy in data collection and analysis. Join us for an insightful discussion on how AI can be harnessed to create more equitable and effective educational pathways that prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.

Brittany Bernard
Educational Technology Manager
DC Public Schools

Shiron Lindsay
Instructional Technology Strategist
Baltimore City Public Schools

Monica VanHusen
Instructional Technology Coordinator
Stafford County Public Schools

2:15pm - 3:30pm • Conference 102W (1st Floor)

Next-Gen Innovators: Student Perspectives on AI's Transformative Potential

Join us for an inspiring 90-minute student forum featuring the brilliant minds of tomorrow as they share their groundbreaking projects and unique perspectives on AI's transformative potential across various domains. From advancing cognition-computer synergy and automating scanning electron microscopy to enhancing object detection in robotics and revolutionizing referral management in healthcare, these young innovators will showcase how they are harnessing the power of AI to drive meaningful change. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the future leaders of AI and gain insights into the cutting-edge ideas that will shape our world.

Moderated by J.P. Auffret (George Mason University) and Chris Garcia (University of Mary Washington), the student presentations include:

-- AI-based Patent Search for Chemical Compound Formulation and Drug Discovery (Dr. Beju Rao and Aiden Raoufinia)

-- Patient Referral Management for Population Health Improvements using Safe and Trustworthy AI (Dhruv Bejugam, Arjun Kumar, Sathvik Verma, Ashmitha Padma, and Shuarya Sharma)

-- Enhancing Object Detection and Avoidance Systems for Robots in Challenging Environments Using AI (Ayaan Khan and Matthew Nguyen)

-- Neuroassist: Advancing Cognition-Computer Synergy with Adaptive AI and Enhanced Neural Decoding (Vishwa Makesh)

-- AI Automation in Scanning Electron Microscopy (Jeffrey Mahesh and Dr. Beju Rao)

-- Minimally Invasive Neural Implants - Role of AI (Anjali Addagarla)

J.P. Auffret
Director, Center for Assurance Research & Engineering
George Mason University

Chris Garcia
Professor of Quantitative Methods
University of Mary Washington