Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the government contracting landscape, creating new ways for federal government agencies and SLED (state, local and education) governments to streamline processes, gain efficiencies and deliver more public benefits.
Learn how AI is being used in government and ways that the trustworthy development of government AI technology can help the public and private sectors.
What is AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a term used for the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Stanford Professor John McCarthy defined AI as "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines." AI aims to create machines that can perform actions and display behaviors like humans, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, understanding natural language and even interacting with humans naturally.
AI can be applied to a wide range of fields, from criminal justice to public health to autonomous vehicles and is becoming more commonly used in both the public and private sectors.
Machine Learning (ML)
Machine learning (ML), one of many subsets of artificial intelligence being used by businesses, state and local and federal government organizations, involves training a machine with large amounts of data and allowing it to learn patterns and make predictions based on that data. Machine learning focuses on algorithms and statistical models that enable machines to learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning algorithms can be used in various applications, such as spam filters, fraud detection systems and recommendation engines.
Deep Learning
Often used for image and speech recognition or natural language processing, deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to model and understand complex patterns and relationships in data.
Generative AI (GenAI)
Generative AI models, like deep learning neural networks, can generate unique outputs such as software code, music, art and written content. GenAI solutions are trained algorithms based on large data sets, allowing them to learn patterns and generate new and organic content.
Benefits of AI in Government
Just as in the private sector, the public sector is beginning to understand the many benefits AI tools can offer and the ways they can be applied to make government services more efficient and cost-effective.
AI in Government Use Cases
Applications of AI in government can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Automating decision-making with greater accuracy and efficiency
- Assisting federal government personnel with repetitive data processing tasks
- Supporting government technology development efforts
New tools powered by AI and machine learning technologies are being developed regularly to help government entities better optimize their operations. Similarly, a range of resources are available to public-sector businesses that sell to the government to help them streamline their government business development efforts.
AI Risks in Government
As AI becomes more integrated into workflows within government operations, concerns about its potential impact on privacy, ethics and safety have led to calls for regulation. Government workers understand that any new AI advanced technologies need to hold up to independent evaluation. It will be crucial for individuals from government organizations, industry leaders and technologists to work together to address these concerns and ensure that government services involving AI go through trustworthy development processes and are deployed responsibly and ethically.
To do this, the White House has released an artificial intelligence executive order calling for a broad federal government effort to deploy trustworthy AI technologies, addressing data risks and cybersecurity risks that sometimes come with AI tools.
The executive order calls for the federal government to:
- Require developers to share safety test results and other critical information with the U.S. government.
- Develop standards, tools and tests to help ensure that AI systems are safe, secure and trustworthy.
- Protect against the risks of using AI to engineer dangerous biological materials.
- Protect Americans from AI-enabled fraud and deception by establishing standards and best practices for detecting AI-generated content and authenticating official content.
- Establish an advanced cybersecurity program to develop AI tools to find and fix vulnerabilities in critical software.
- Order the development of a National Security Memorandum that directs further actions on AI and security.
AI Data Risks
Any tool processing large amounts of data needs to be monitored and given proper oversight to ensure data is not in the hands of those who should not have access. This is especially important for SLED or federal government agencies, as they often deal with large sets of sometimes personal data related to their citizens. AI systems processing this data must be developed and used in ways that align with ethical principles and do not result in harm or discriminatory outcomes.
AI Cybersecurity Risks
In the recent executive order from the U.S. federal government, the administration called for a wide range of pilot projects to identify, develop, test and apply AI capabilities to federal government cyber programs to help with identifying and remedying vulnerabilities in U.S. systems, networks and software.
How to Win Federal AI Government Contracts
Give your business a strategic look at the spending trends, drivers and inhibitors shaping federal artificial intelligence acquisitions.
Resources and Tools for AI in Government
Just as government agencies are leveraging the power of AI, businesses can harness AI tools to sell their products and services to the government. If your business sells to state, local, education or federal government markets and wants to apply AI-backed tools to enhance your business development strategy, look no further than GovWin IQ from Deltek.
Deltek's industry-leading GovWin IQ platform of government intelligence already has aided contractors with their strategic go-to-market plans for years by centralizing complex data and making it easy to consume. Now it has also introduced machine learning to the platform through its Smart Fit Scores and Smart Summaries features.
