Today, most federal agencies are, at a minimum, experimenting with artificial intelligence. Others have AI deployments in full swing with more planned for the immediate future. In fact, at the end of 2024, 37 federal agencies reported using AI across more than 1,700 use cases – which doesn’t even include classified use cases. And that number continues to grow rapidly.

Given this momentum, it’s incredibly important for agencies to assess not only where they stand technically with AI, but also which mission outcomes they want to advance. That clarity is critical to shaping AI strategies that deliver lasting impact.

In our work with customers, we find that agencies are eager to reap the true, transformative benefits of AI: faster time to insights, better processes, more accurate analysis and practical applications of AI that are applicable to many more missions. Indeed, the most successful AI projects involve delivering all of that in the form of capabilities that cut through the noise, sharpen the picture, reveal patterns, and help them zero in on what matters most.

That’s why – across use cases from mission analytics and fraud detection to research, cybersecurity and intelligence analysis – agencies are finding value in AI solutions that not only meet the mission but advance it in entirely new ways.

• The Department of Defense is leveraging AI to modernize and secure global communication networks, empowering warfighters to rapidly collect, analyze, and act upon vast amounts of data, which translates to faster decision-making, improved targeting accuracy, and enhanced predictive analytics.
• At the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, AI-driven fraud detection solutions save over $1 billion annually, significantly reducing waste and strengthening the integrity of critical healthcare programs.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs is using agentic AI to read treatment records, some handwritten, to extract health encounters, diagnosis, and procedures. This clinical data is then combined with Veteran Benefits guidance to recommend disability benefits.
• The Federal Aviation Administration uses AI to update flight safety maps to prevent drones from operating in areas that intersect predicted flight paths of commercial aviation, enhancing aviation safety and operational clarity.

AI that brings the mission into clear and crisp focus is AI that will offer flexibility, continuous improvement, and unlimited mission opportunity. As more agencies begin to mature their AI projects or to deploy AI in new places within their organizations – and in new ways – it’s imperative that they do so with a clear understanding of how AI will advance their specific goals, whether that’s accelerating decisions, improving service delivery, or strengthening security. In our experience, doing that is best accomplished by considering these AI best practices.

• Establishing comprehensive risk management frameworks that align with both the Office of Management and Budget and your agency’s own internal guidance. This helps to navigate the complexities of AI applications and ensures that AI deployments are conducted in a manner that minimizes risk and maximizes benefit.
• Prioritizing data governance and security to preserve data integrity risks and to safeguard privacy. Together this ensures accurate, accessible and actionable data that facilitates continued AI innovation.
• Defining use cases before choosing capabilities so teams can align AI technologies with their practical application within an organization, focusing on need and impact rather than novelty. Traditional AI approaches may be best for some use cases, while emerging AI fields like generative AI are better for others. Choose wisely and ensure your outcomes are aligned with your technology.
• Equipping the workforce for AI integrations to ensure broad understanding of the value and potential of AI as well as how to use it safely, ethically and effectively. This type of comprehensive education and training strategy ensures that all levels of the organization are prepared to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks.
• Engaging stakeholders and maintaining their support, which underpins continuous engagement with end users and drives successful outcomes. This ensures that AI initiatives are both well-supported and effectively tailored to deliver maximum value.
• Placing seamless integration as the goal, recognizing that it is necessary for AI systems to deliver their intended benefits. This is best accomplished by examining existing workflows and infrastructure and considering change management to address modifications and end user adoption.
• Actively monitoring the AI technical landscape, since AI capabilities double every seven months, monitoring and evaluating new capabilities will continuously improve deployed and new solutions.

Ultimately, AI is most powerful when it brings what matters into focus to improve critical missions by illuminating clear paths forward and cutting through complexity to focus attention squarely on mission-critical priorities. At GDIT, we see this impact every day as we collaborate closely with government partners, fine-tuning AI capabilities to precisely meet their strategic objectives and operational needs.