John Larson
Executive Vice President of Artificial Intelligence, Booz Allen
As AI is rapidly transforming the world, John Larson’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing Booz Allen’s position as the leading provider of AI services to the federal government. With over 200 active AI projects across critical areas like national security, health and defense, Booz Allen is delivering scaled enterprise-wide AI powered solutions to accelerate the mission for national priorities, including many of the largest AI contracts across the federal government.
In FY 2024, Booz Allen’s AI revenue reached approximately $600 million, supported by a team of 2,300-plus world-class AI practitioners and an AI Ready certification program that ⏤ training 10,000 AI Aware practitioners ⏤ allows unskilled or reskilled employees to contribute to AI endeavors. He also oversaw the launch of an AI Stacks strategy ⏤ generative AI, vision AI, cyber AI, responsible AI and secure AI ⏤ which are integrated Booz Allen and commercial technology solutions that compress time to mission by providing scalable solutions that lower operational risk.
“Under John’s leadership of our AI practice, Booz Allen has become the single largest provider of AI services to the federal government and serves as a trusted partner on our clients’ most critical AI challenges,” said Susan Penfield, chief technology officer at Booz Allen Hamilton.
“John brings extensive government and commercial sector experience to our business, driving responsible AI governance and adoption to bring leading-edge AI solutions to missions at scale.”
Why Watch
Larson is focused on continuing to position Booz Allen as the technology partner of choice for the federal government by bringing enterprise AI to bridge the gap between tech and mission. Critical to this vision is the need to integrate the entire AI ecosystem ⏤ beyond just algorithms ⏤ to ensure success including data, software engineering, human centered design, AI governance and adoption.
He also believes the pace and scale of the challenges the federal government faces today are too complex to solve through traditional means. It is critical that the government integrate dual use technologies to unlock innovation to solve the nation’s greatest challenges.
Larson is committed to anticipating trends that will impact clients, investing early in innovation and talent. For example, he is currently leading a quantum investment which presents revolutionary advances that are expected to profoundly disrupt almost every industry. He remains committed to ensuring Booz Allen consistently plays the role of AI integrator, optimist and educator to drive innovation in the AI landscape.
“Artificial Intelligence is the single most transformative technology of a generation ⏤ if not since the advent of electricity. It represents an unprecedented opportunity to address the most critical challenges we face as a nation,” Larson said.
“I believe that Booz Allen has an obligation and responsibility to harness its power ⏤ in a transparent and trustworthy fashion ⏤ to ensure our country’s continued leadership in this technology for the good of our economic and national security.”
Fun fact: Larson is an avid cyclist. He is competing in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a marathon mountain bike race, this August.