b'If we are going to lead AI at a global scale, which is our mission, thenfocusing on humanitarian impacts is a must. . . . We are verifying, validating, and looking to apply AI for goodness, equity, and positive societal impacts.Given your private and public sector experience,Would you briefly describe AI and outline thehow have both of those experiences informed theAI lifecycle? way you lead? What are the characteristics in your mind of an effective leader? We know that AI is a disruptive technology. Its starting to be intertwined in all that we do. It is about getting computer I like to lead by example. I like to lead with practical usesystems to perform tasks that mimic what humans would do cases so people can relate and understand what it is thator mimic human intelligence. This is basically how we look at theyre doing and why theyre doing it. I dont like to lead withartificial intelligence. AI will never think exactly like a the style and approach of just do it just because it has to behuman, but it can get close to it. The key is that when applied done. I do like to hear from others prior to making decisions,effectively, it can do things much faster. but I am a decision-maker. I believe in teams that are strengthened by diversity. I believe the greater the diversity theThe AI lifecycle is composed of four core areas. It starts greater the possible impact and success of our efforts.with the supply chain, where you want to understand the hardware, software, and the components of the AI. The next I would rather follow the process and offer innovations toarea is data acquisition, establishing data provenance and make things better and more efficient. I love when my teamchain of custody. The models dont perform without data. does the same thing. I expect them to look at the process.Once you combine the data and the algorithms, thats when Is there a way to make it better? What can we do to addressyou have the models. the challenge that fuels innovation? If I just see a team that is following the orders, following the ruleswhich I want usThe next part of the lifecycle is the deployment. You want to follow the rulesbut if youre just doing that, just becauseto deploy the models so that they are going to the right youre trying to hit the metric, Im not impressed. destinations in a secured manner. The last aspect of the lifecycle involves monitoring performance. AI should be Would you highlight the priorities of your office?monitored after its deployed. It should be monitored and Do they align with the National AI Initiative Office? then we should continue to measure its performance relative to what we intended the AI to do. This encompasses harms The focus on responsible and trustworthy AI is a topmonitoring and modeling as well as AI assurances in the face priority. My team is focused on innovative AI governanceof cyber and adversarial threats.where responsible and trustworthy AI outcomes are the standard. Development of the departmental AI strategy is another key priority. This also includes establishment of the AI Advancement Council. Another priority is on the continued development of strategic partnerships. Were going to continue to evolve that strategic partnership framework. Workforce education, training, and upskilling are all key priorities. We must do more around training and upskillingits essential. Each of these priorities pretty much aligns with the National AI Initiative Office and its strategy. 46 www.businessofgovernment.org The Business of Government'