With the integration of AI in 2024 and beyond, companies are poised to encounter both benefits and challenges.
In 2023, the progression of artificial intelligence is set to have a profound impact on all sectors. Consequently, the White House has issued an executive order tasking firms with the responsible creation and utilization of AI technologies.
Organizations across the spectrum are gearing up to fulfill the various directives outlined in this mandate, aiming not only to enhance service delivery but also to thwart malicious entities from exploiting and misusing AI systems.
To this end, companies have introduced diverse methods and deployment schemes. Let’s delve into how businesses perceive this technology and its operational advantages.
AI’s Role in Cybersecurity
CISA unveiled a new roadmap for AI adoption, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity, in November. This strategy, encompassing five key areas, lays the groundwork for a more secure approach to developing and implementing AI capabilities:
- Leveraging AI effectively to support missions.
- Ensuring the resilience of AI platforms.
- Safeguarding critical infrastructure from the malevolent use of AI.
- Collaborating with interagency partners, international allies, and the public to coordinate and communicate on significant AI initiatives.
- Enhancing national workforce expertise in IoT.
During a speech, CISA Director Jen East emphasized that “Artificial Intelligence holds immense potential in bolstering our nation’s cybersecurity, yet as one of the most powerful technologies of our time, it also poses significant risks.” The objective of “Our Roadmap for AI,” focusing on the convergence of AI, cyber defense, and critical infrastructure, is to outline a comprehensive agency-wide approach to harness AI’s beneficial applications for enhancing security capabilities, ensuring the protection of AI systems from cyber threats, and deterring malicious AI capabilities from jeopardizing the essential infrastructure that Americans rely on daily.
AI Applications in Data Modeling
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is leveraging AI to streamline data movement across systems and provide forecasters with more precise weather and climate models.
According to CTO Frank Indiviglio, the benefits of AI have had a significant impact on the organization.
For instance, in hurricane tracking, AI enables a more focused analysis on the core of the storm, enhancing our ability to concentrate on critical information. Indiviglio mentioned in a GovCast interview that AI can lead to better insights and reduced data processing.
However, Indiviglio acknowledges the challenges of AI adoption.
“It’s a novel technology that requires a deep understanding. To integrate it within your scientific teams, you need data scientists and machine learning experts,” he explained. “Supporting your workforce to swiftly embrace these technologies, make them operational, and gain public trust is crucial.”
AI in Healthcare
Furthermore, the executive order emphasizes the importance of health organizations addressing health-related issues associated with AI systems. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will establish an AI task force to be deployed across the healthcare sector as per the directive.
To develop AI educational resources, the initiative will gather data, assess risky AI healthcare practices, and create support tools.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is exploring how AI can aid in making expedited, well-informed decisions, enhancing veteran healthcare benefits, and streamlining administrative tasks.
A VA spokesperson highlighted in a statement to GovCIO Media & Research that “AI solutions can potentially reduce non-clinical workload for professionals, allowing our clinics to focus more on providing compassionate care to Veterans.”
Moreover, AI is supporting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in overcoming challenges posed by big data and offering hope for improved research and treatment options at the Cancer Institute.
The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at NIH, in its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, will leverage AI to address big data hurdles and implement enhancements to streamline costly and time-consuming processes in clinical studies.
The National Cancer Institute is exploring AI applications in cancer detection and treatment, as well as assessing how new technologies can enhance treatment accessibility. NCI is also researching how AI could enhance non-chemotherapy alternatives.
National leaders are also examining the impact of AI on healthcare ownership.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is developing a proposed legislation to empower healthcare providers and enhance transparency in clinical decision support methodologies. Dr. Micky Tripathi, the regional health IT representative, emphasized that ONC is prioritizing health equity as a core design principle.
Initiating with data is the primary step. Tripathi stressed the importance of having access to data to identify discrepancies in healthcare delivery across communities.
Streamlining Workflows with AI
Jerry Ma, the USPTO Emerging Technology Director, highlighted how AI’s integration into the organization’s backend operations has enabled the delivery of optimal value to the community and stakeholders.
Ma emphasized, “AI plays a pivotal role in ensuring that examiners can keep pace, ultimately delivering value to our partners by providing stronger, higher-value, and more consistent patent and trademark services.”
Tanu Luke, the Chief Strategy and Technology Officer of the Securities and Exchange Commission, noted that AI is aiding the SEC in identifying cybersecurity threats and meeting the requirements of the zero-trust mandate.
Luke emphasized, “We need to anticipate not just immediate threats but also consider how AI can help in identifying and proactively addressing security incidents down the line.”
