Feds at the Edge

FedInsider

The federal government is changing the way it handles data. It is transitioning from an on premises data center approach to the cloud. Further, it is getting data from a wide ranging number of sensors. Feds at the Edge is a podcast that addresses those concerns

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    243 Operationalizing Private AI for Federal Missions

    = = = =   46:18 We have all seen the power of AI; the question we have is, can it be implemented in a secure federal environment? Today, we sat down with three experts who have successfully applied powerful private AI tools to the federal government. The panel emphasized the need for responsible implementation, the transformational impact of AI, and the roles required to support AI initiatives in government. Responible. Natalie Bud Smitth from the Library of Congress argues that the key to using data safely is to carefully examine end objectives and the workflow for that experience. When done correctly, data repositories are curated, which enables proper compliance with federal standards. This approach has proven to be truly transformational. The federal government had given the Idaho National Lab aggressive timelines to deploy AI. His primary limitation is that nuclear data may be excluded from large, or frontier, AI models like ChatGPT. As a result, he has managed to capture data owned by the INL and fine-tune it into a dataset usable by private AI models. Using this model, he has been shocked by its transformative power. Experience is another key factor to consider. It is obvious that nobody has 10 years of experience with today's AI models. Brenden Wright shared his experience in building an AI lab at Keysight, stressing the importance of experimentation and collaboration. When ideas are reviewed by others in the same predicament,  federal leaders can deploy AI to emphasize privacy and security.

    1hr 2min

  2. 1 APR

    Ep. 242 Trends in Digital Modernization

    What if better visibility into your IT assets could unlock cost savings, strengthen security, and free teams to focus on the mission?    This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore how federal agencies are turning digital modernization into a strategic advantage by strengthening software and asset visibility. With a clearer understanding of existing licenses, agencies can eliminate duplication, retire unused tools, and collaborate across organizations to secure better pricing and maximize value.    The conversation also highlights how AI is elevating asset management, moving beyond static reporting to real-time insights, forecasting future needs, and uncovering hidden risks like shadow IT. At the same time, aligning asset and procedure management is enabling more proactive operations, where adaptive licensing and better data help teams shift from compliance-heavy tasks to mission-focused work.  Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to learn how a more connected, forward-looking approach is helping agencies cut costs, reduce risk, and operate smarter for the future.

    1hr 2min

  3. 25 MAR

    Ep. 241 Embedding Trust into AI for the Public Sector

    Trust is difficult enough in an environment with strict controls and security; AI adds dimensions that make establishing trust even more challenging in the public sector. Over the last decade, if we have learned anything, it's that check box solutions never work.     This week on Feds At the Edge, we break down what it takes to build trustworthy AI in high-stakes government environments. From model transparency and "model cards" to the risks hidden in data and the importance of context, they explore how leaders can evaluate trust across the model, the data, and the monitoring processes.    Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to learn why continuous monitoring, strong governance, and thoughtful implementation are essential, and how agencies can move beyond checkbox compliance to deploy AI with confidence.

    1 hr

  4. 18 MAR

    Ep. 240 Navy Transformation: Modernization is About the Mission

    How do you upgrade a global fleet when failure isn't an option?  This week on Feds At the Edge, we dive into the Navy's "Operation Cattle Drive," an ambitious initiative to modernize technology across hundreds of ships in the world's most challenging environments.   We sit down with experts from the U.S. Navy and Red Hat to break down the three pillars of high-stakes digital transformation:  Development: Using digital twins to test systems in advance—eliminating risk where failure isn't an option.   Scaling: Building infrastructure that can support growing AI demands across a distributed fleet.  Automation: Applying thoughtful automation can support patching, compliance, and faster updates. Moving toward a world where complex military networks are as seamless to update as a commercial smartphone.   Tune in on your favorite podcast platform as our experts highlight why strategy, enterprise platforms, and a culture of change are essential for mission success.

    1 hr

  5. 11 MAR

    Ep. 239 Facing the Two-Edged Sword of AI: Securing Government Infrastructure in the Face of AI Automation

    AI presents such a dazzling set of opportunities that federal leaders can be tempted to dive in without careful planning.  This week on Feds At the Edge, we move past the hype to explore the tactical realities of deploying AI within the unique constraints of the federal environment. Ashley Billman, Cybersecurity Analyst, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, explains why agencies must align AI architecture with mission and security needs, whether on-prem, hybrid, or cloud environments, and highlights a critical question: what's actually in the training data, and what might be missing? The discussion also explores emerging risks. Experts Gary Bartlett from Illumio and Mark Mitchell from Netskope join the conversation to warn against the "agent" trend, sharing cautionary tales of AI inadvertently accessing sensitive information and explaining why robust governance is the only way to ensure your AI's conclusions are actually valid. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to learn why AI literacy is no longer an optional skill, but a strategic necessity for the future of federal cybersecurity. Stop chasing the headlines and start building a framework that turns AI from a risk into a mission-critical asset

    59 min

  6. 4 MAR

    Ep. 238 State and Local Government: Streamlining Operations to Improve Efficiency, Cost Effectiveness

    AI has the power to transform government operations, but only if it's used wisely.  This week on Feds At the Edge, we dive into the high-stakes world of applied AI within public agencies, where the potential for massive efficiency gains sits right next to the risk of moving too fast without a map.   From Todd Sharkey of Lorain County, OH's look at the document "drowning" in many government organizations to Brandon Ragle at Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology's vital warnings on data privacy and strict procedural safeguards, we explore the thin line between innovation and liability. Brad Porter of Knowledge Lake joins us to bridge that gap, demonstrating how AI can classify and secure sensitive data at speeds once thought impossible.  Tune in on your favorite podcast platform for our experts' takeaways: start small, pilot carefully, and measure the impact. When implemented thoughtfully, AI can turn overwhelming archives into actionable insights.

    57 min

  7. 25 FEB

    Ep. 237 Human + AI Prioritizing Higher Value Work

    I isn't here to replace government professionals, it's here to elevate them.   Artificial intelligence is still new territory for many public sector leaders, but understanding how to apply it effectively can unlock major gains in productivity and insight. This week on Feds At the Edge, we dive into the essential transition for government professionals: offloading routine tasks to AI so humans can reclaim high-level analytical work.  Dr. Nancy Washton breaks down the critical distinction between "deterministic" traditional computing and today's "non-deterministic" AI, explaining why the same prompt can yield different results and how to vet those outputs by asking the system to document its own logic. Alongside Alyssa Ashworth's insights on data security, human oversight, and productivity metrics, this discussion provides a roadmap for moving from simple applications to complex, scaled solutions.  Tune in on your favorite podcast platform as this discussion explores how to build professional confidence by starting small and scaling smart in the new age of intelligence.

    58 min

  8. 18 FEB

    Ep. 236 Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges: How Technology is Transforming Transportation.

    What if the solution to our most daunting infrastructure challenges isn't just more concrete, but more clarity?  This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore how cutting-edge technology is turning budget constraints into opportunities for smarter, more sustainable growth.   Experts from VHB, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation, Bentley Systems, Inc, and Reynolds, Smith & Hills, discuss how leveraging digital twins - dynamic software-based replicas of physical projects - states can revolutionize the way they plan and build (avoid planning mistakes, enabling iteration cycles) allowing for precision-engineered spending and seamless workflows.  We will break down why Model-Based Design is more than just a fancy tool; it is a fundamental mindset shift to a single-source model that helps agencies navigate rapid technological change and severe resource shortages.   Tune in on your favorite podcast platform as this discussion reveals how moving to a single-source digital model can optimize every dollar spent, ensuring our communities get the modern, reliable infrastructure they deserve.

    58 min
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About

The federal government is changing the way it handles data. It is transitioning from an on premises data center approach to the cloud. Further, it is getting data from a wide ranging number of sensors. Feds at the Edge is a podcast that addresses those concerns

Information

  • Creator
    FedInsider
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © FedInsider 2020
  • Show Website
    Feds at the Edge