• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Oakmont Group

The Oakmont Group

Helping you connect to federal technology leaders

  • Videos on Improving Interview Skills
  • Federal Tech Podcast
  • Media Kit
  • Contact

Ep. 154 Responsible AI for Federal Programs

June 11, 2024 

apple podcasts logo
spotify logp
excella
melisa bhardi
Melisa Bardhi, Excella

We are at the point where Artificial Intelligence is splitting into several capabilities. These include Generative, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Predictive, and Deep Learning to name a few.

Today, we sit down with Melisa Bardhi from Excella and look at one aspect of AI, Generative AI, and examine how it can be used responsibly for federal applications.

In a short 25 minutes, she covers

  • Definitions
  • Beginnings
  • Security
  • Existing models
  • AI training

Melisa begins by admitting that one must be cautious about data that is used to feed AI.  All humans have biases, whether intentional or not. One document she would like to share with the audience is Excella’s Generative AI Use Policy. 

Rather than starting with a major tech overhaul, it is suggested that an agency looks at a pilot with well-defined outcomes.  Generally, Generative AI should be deployed in a controlled environment.

"And so transparency and explainability, especially the federal sector, is incredibly important to make sure that we build trust in these tools. And that’s why a key component of our talk today is not just Gen AI, but using it responsibility "

Melisa Bardhi, Excella Tweet
Security is foremost in the minds of all federal employees. The challenge is that many of the recommendations from laudable organizations like NIST can be hard to understand.  As a result, Excella has unpacked many security concepts in several blogs. A reference is Decoding Artificial Intelligence: A Simplified Guide to Key Terminology. When you read about ChatGPT producing summaries, this is an example of a model that is used in a wide-open environment.  Melisa suggests agencies test out pre-trained models through cloud platforms like Azure ML, AWS Sagemaker, and GCP AI Platform. Fortunately, we are bombarded with places to learn more about Generative AI.  During the interview, Melisa mentioned agencies should consider partnering with research institutions and groups like ACT-IAC. For example, you can start your Generative AI journey with an article titled “AI Understanding in the Federal Government.”  If you enjoyed this episode, then you may want to listen to
  • EP-158: How to Secure Artificial Intelligence
    Why: Offers practical approaches to AI security, complementing ethical and governance concerns discussed in EP-154.

  • EP-163: Beyond the SBOM for Secure Software Development
    Why: Addresses secure development practices, which are essential for implementing responsible AI systems.

  •    

    Federal Tech Podcast Ep. 154,  Excella,  Melisa Bardhi

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    FEDERAL TECH PODCAST

    Helping CEOs win more federal deals through targeted storytelling.

    john gilroy

    John Gilroy

    Footer

    Social

    Follow along on social media.

    Email

    johngilroy@theoakmontgroupllc.com

    Policy

    Policy for The Oakmont Group

    Copyright © 2026 · Business Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in