Both government and industry are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence, but many organizations remain unclear on how to leverage the technology to effectively power their missions.
“While generative AI solutions on the market today may provide instant gratification through rapid ‘human-like’ responses, most of these solutions currently lack the ground truth necessary for accurate, unbiased and critical decision-making to solve complex federal mission challenges,” writes Mile Corrigan, president and CEO of not-for-profit think tank Noblis in a recently released report.
“Conceptually, the goal of AI is straightforward, but the range of potential risks and benefits to any organization attempting to apply can be daunting and highly complex.”
Noblis ⏤ a science, technology and strategy corporation serving federal clients ⏤ recently published “Artificial Intelligence: A Field Guide for Public Sector Enterprises” to help address some of these challenges.
The guide includes a discussion of AI capabilities, a playbook for jumpstarting AI in organizations and some basic principles around responsible AI. It is designed to provide practical guidance and best practices geared toward public sector organizations seeking to adopt AI. Plus, it delves into why enterprises need to factor in not only the technology itself, but also ethical considerations, talent, training and more.
Corrigan said in the report digital transformation has led to an “always-on” society where data is continuously generated and users are connected instantaneously.
“Humans alone cannot deal with the massive amount of data that surrounds us on this new competitive playing field for critical decision-making, whether that decision is necessary to protect our nation’s infrastructure or thwart the next cyber attack,” she said.
Responsible and ethical AI frameworks are increasingly important as AI becomes more powerful, the report notes.
The National Artificial Intelligence Initiative, which was established by the NAII Act of 2020, has several important goals. First, it aims to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI research and development. Second, it wants the U.S. to lead the world in developing and using trustworthy AI systems in both the public and private sectors. Third, the initiative seeks to prepare the current and future U.S. workforce for the widespread incorporation of AI systems across all sectors of the economy and society. Lastly, it endeavors to ensure effective collaboration between federal agencies on AI activities, so each agency’s work is informed by and contributes to the others’.
In February 2022, the Defense Department stood up the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, which is responsible for the acceleration of DOD’s adoption of data, analytics and AI to generate decision advantage across the department and for the warfighter.
“The investments that organizations across industry and the federal government are making in AI are vast and exciting,” according to the report. “Adoption of any impactful, complex technology is never easy, however, no matter the size and sophistication of the organization. While this guide cannot provide all the answers to successful incorporation of AI within one’s enterprise, it details considerations organizations may take into account and informs the reader on ways to adopt this rapidly evolving set of technologies in a responsible fashion.”
This resource explains the different types of AI for beginners. It includes a history of machine learning, starting from the 1950s with the first computer learning program for checkers, up to modern uses like OpenAI’s ChatGPT4. It also discusses common problems organizations face when trying to use AI and offers some solutions.