Accenture Federal Services Launches Exploring AI in Government” Podcast; First Episode Features Host Dominic Delmolino with Congressman Will Hurd & Dr. Monda Siddiqui”

Accenture Federal Services launched the inaugural episode of the company’s new podcast series Exploring AI in Government hosted by Dominic Delmolino, chief technology officer of Accenture Federal Services, on Tuesday. 

The podcast series looks to take listeners behind the scenes with the leaders and innovators defining artificial intelligence (AI) for the federal government. The program examines a number of key topics, including AI’s impact on citizen experience, the need for responsible AI practices and implications for the federal workforce. 

Tuesday’s inaugural episode explores the federal government’s current approach to AI with Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) and 2019 Wash100 Award winner and Dr. Mona Siddiqui, chief data officer for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

“We should have a national strategy on AI that makes sure that we focus on a regulatory environment that doesn’t stifle innovation and that we are creating a skilled workforce prepared to thrive in an AI economy,” said Hurd. 

Hurd also addressed the ethics surrounding AI, the impact of AI on jobs and training the future workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. The episode also explores how federal agencies are implementing AI today. 

Dr. Siddiqui discussed how AI can improve healthcare quality while also addressing the unique challenges federal agencies face. “People have seen data as a research tool and now we’re asking them to connect data, which is very uncomfortable for a lot of people because of concerns around privacy, and security, Dr. Siddiqui explained. “And then we’re also saying that we’re going to use that information and that connected data to make business and operational decisions. And that’s a big, big shift for a lot of people.”

The second of six planned episodes will feature a roundtable discussion with Craig Fischer from the U.S. Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service and Gisele Holden of the National Science Foundation on implementing intelligent automation. Other future guests include Dr. Eric Daimler, a former AI lead within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Michael Karlin, one of the architects of Canada’s Algorithmic Impact Assessment tool.

Click here to access Accenture Federal Services’ Exploring AI in Government podcast.