In this data-driven age, a top concern for many federal agencies is finding a way to put their copious amounts of data to work. In doing so, they can contribute to their mission delivery in a way that’s objective and actionable. An effective way to do that is through the advent of an artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning (ML) practice, and that requires a solid foundation of AI maturity.
“How do we get more of our data available for digital intake, machine readability, and digital storage, so we can use tools like AI, machine learning, automation…so we can better analyze, categorize and make use of our data, to protect it and make better data-driven decisions?” These are questions IRS Enterprise Digitalization Senior Advisor, Mitch Winans, poses as he and his team navigate the journey towards more automation and digitization across the IRS. With these questions in mind, it’s clear that Winans is traversing the path towards AI maturity.
So, what is AI maturity? And how can an agency tangibly work towards that goal?
Effectively integrating a strong AI program requires investment at several levels and must permeate throughout an agency’s IT infrastructure. “Data infrastructure, software tools, data expertise, and model development are all going to take a significant investment for AI to be successfully utilized,” explained Rick Ailstock, Lead Technical Sales SE for Partner Relationships with FCN Inc. “As a result, federal IT teams will gain the ability to reduce repetitive tasks and activities that are enforced around the myriad processes and procedures required of today’s agencies.”
A recent study from ESG, commissioned by Dell Technologies and FCN Inc., took a deeper look at the organizations that were making extensive use of the advanced compute technologies that influence and improve AI workload support. These AI leaders exhibited specific characteristics that may not be as apparent in their less AI-inclined counterparts. Some characteristics included:
- AI leaders can cut IT downtime by an average of 19 percent
- 84 percent of AI leaders make data protection a priority
- AI leaders are 3.1 times more likely to outperform competitors in customer experience and support
Whether federal agencies are taking their first step or their next step in achieving AI maturity, the benefits of its adoption are clear. By looking to the private sector for guidance and strategic implementation, agencies can capitalize on those benefits in the same way we’re seeing the enterprise world do so. Ailstock urges agencies to consider the value of partnering with a provider with a deep well of AI-focused solutions can power their progress towards AI maturity.
To learn more about what AI maturity looks like and how it directly impacts your agency’s mission delivery, you can download the full graphic overview of the ESG findings here.
