Skating to Where the AI Puck Will Be
Federal agencies face an unprecedented challenge – deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that tangibly enhance mission delivery instead of simply following technology trends. While people are talking about the features and size of the latest AI large language models (LLM), they are asking the wrong questions.
The complex mission environments of homeland security, justice, and emergency management require an approach to AI that aligns with their mission and prioritizes skill development, organizational adoption, and thoughtful change management over technology deployment alone. For Government agencies, successful AI adoption isn't about the sophistication of the tools, it's about building sustainable capabilities that they can deploy at scale to achieve mission outcomes.
Rather than viewing AI as a standalone technology or solution, program leaders should adopt a human-centered approach where AI is a tool to automate and advance mission support processes. It’s not about replacing people – it’s about finding ways to accelerate the mission and drive more effective delivery to citizens and stakeholders.
Federal organizations can shift their thinking about AI in three ways to support their missions:
Use both short-term and long-term thinking to inform capability and skill development – Experiment in the short term to foster learning and adoption, but look ahead to what capabilities the mission needs in 3-5 years. Build flexible data architectures vs. chasing specific AI tools, because AI's power ultimately derives from the quality and accessibility of your data foundation. For example, TSA might use AI to enhance passenger screening efficiency while simultaneously building data systems to support future predictive security capabilities
Establish learning-centered pilot programs – Much like learning to ride a bike, people learn to use AI by using it in their day-to-day workflows. Create clear boundaries for innovation by defining what experimentation is encouraged while establishing clear lines around security, privacy, and mission-critical operations. Recent work with a Federal client demonstrated the value of this approach when we used AI to develop data visualization prototypes in two hours rather than the typical six-month timeline, allowing program managers to rapidly iterate and better understand end-user needs
Promote human-AI collaboration over replacement fears and narratives – AI is a mission enhancement tool that amplifies human judgment rather than substituting it for critical decision-making responsibilities. Homeland security and justice missions demand nuanced understanding of complex situations, cultural contexts, and evolving threats, areas where human expertise remains irreplaceable. Agencies can focus on how AI frees mission operators to concentrate on high-value strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and complex problem-solving that directly advances mission results
This hands-on, mission-driven approach to AI deployment creates major advances in program operations, builds skills in people, and generates outcomes that extend far beyond technology implementation. When agencies embrace mission- and people-focused AI strategies, they help their workforce grow and advance while building sustainable capabilities for future challenges.
The organizations that thrive in the AI era are those that view technology as an accelerator of human potential rather than a replacement for human wisdom. By maintaining the focus on mission delivery and stakeholder needs, Federal agencies can harness AI's power to create lasting benefits for national security, preparedness, and justice where technology serves the mission, not the other way around.
