Ep. 212 From Chaos to Clarity: Using Cloud to Streamline IT Services Across Agencies
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Release Date: 08/14/2025
243 Operationalizing Private AI for Federal Missions
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
= = = = 46:18 We have all seen the power of AI; the question we have is, can it be implemented in a secure federal environment? Today, we sat down with three experts who have successfully applied powerful private AI tools to the federal government. The panel emphasized the need for responsible implementation, the transformational impact of AI, and the roles required to support AI initiatives in government. Responible. Natalie Bud Smitth from the Library of Congress argues that the key to using data safely is to carefully examine end objectives and the workflow for that...
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Ep. 242 Trends in Digital Modernization
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
What if better visibility into your IT assets could unlock cost savings, strengthen security, and free teams to focus on the mission? This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore how federal agencies are turning digital modernization into a strategic advantage by strengthening software and asset visibility. With a clearer understanding of existing licenses, agencies can eliminate duplication, retire unused tools, and collaborate across organizations to secure better pricing and maximize value. The conversation also highlights how AI is...
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Ep. 241 Embedding Trust into AI for the Public Sector
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Trust is difficult enough in an environment with strict controls and security; AI adds dimensions that make establishing trust even more challenging in the public sector. Over the last decade, if we have learned anything, it’s that check box solutions never work. This week on Feds At the Edge, we break down what it takes to build trustworthy AI in high-stakes government environments. From model transparency and “model cards” to the risks hidden in data and the importance of context, they explore how leaders can evaluate trust across...
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Ep. 240 Navy Transformation: Modernization is About the Mission
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
How do you upgrade a global fleet when failure isn't an option? This week on Feds At the Edge, we dive into the Navy's "Operation Cattle Drive," an ambitious initiative to modernize technology across hundreds of ships in the world’s most challenging environments. We sit down with experts from the U.S. Navy and Red Hat to break down the three pillars of high-stakes digital transformation: Development: Using digital twins to test systems in advance—eliminating risk where failure isn’t an...
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Ep. 239 Facing the Two-Edged Sword of AI: Securing Government Infrastructure in the Face of AI Automation
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
AI presents such a dazzling set of opportunities that federal leaders can be tempted to dive in without careful planning. This week on Feds At the Edge, we move past the hype to explore the tactical realities of deploying AI within the unique constraints of the federal environment. Ashley Billman, Cybersecurity Analyst, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, explains why agencies must align AI architecture with mission and security needs, whether on-prem, hybrid, or cloud environments, and highlights a critical question: what’s actually in the training data, and...
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Ep. 238 State and Local Government: Streamlining Operations to Improve Efficiency, Cost Effectiveness
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
AI has the power to transform government operations, but only if it’s used wisely. This week on Feds At the Edge, we dive into the high-stakes world of applied AI within public agencies, where the potential for massive efficiency gains sits right next to the risk of moving too fast without a map. From Todd Sharkey of Lorain County, OH’s look at the document "drowning" in many government organizations to Brandon Ragle at Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology’s vital warnings on data privacy and...
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Ep. 237 Human + AI Prioritizing Higher Value Work
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
I isn’t here to replace government professionals, it’s here to elevate them. Artificial intelligence is still new territory for many public sector leaders, but understanding how to apply it effectively can unlock major gains in productivity and insight. This week on Feds At the Edge, we dive into the essential transition for government professionals: offloading routine tasks to AI so humans can reclaim high-level analytical work. Dr. Nancy Washton breaks down the critical distinction between...
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Ep. 236 Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges: How Technology is Transforming Transportation.
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
What if the solution to our most daunting infrastructure challenges isn't just more concrete, but more clarity? This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore how cutting-edge technology is turning budget constraints into opportunities for smarter, more sustainable growth. Experts from VHB, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation, Bentley Systems, Inc, and Reynolds, Smith & Hills, discuss how leveraging digital twins - dynamic software-based replicas of physical...
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Ep. 235 Identity Gaps are the New Insider Threat
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Citizens expect government services to work seamlessly on their phones, and agencies are moving quickly to adapt. But simply extending legacy systems to mobile can leave critical security and usability gaps. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from California DMV and SailPoint break down three key lessons for building trusted, modern access. First, MFA alone is no longer enough. As attackers find ways around one-time codes, organizations are shifting from basic identity checks to stronger, continuous authentication approaches. ...
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Ep. 234 The States of the States
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
What does a massive county-based state like North Dakota have in common with a compact, town-centered state like Vermont? More than you’d think, and the stakes for their data have never been higher. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from North Dakota Information Technology, State of Vermont Agency Digital Services, and Palo Alto explore how states bridge geographical and administrative divides to secure their digital future. Despite stark differences in scale and structure, both faces universal challenges: managing massive data...
info_outlineMigrating federal systems to the cloud is never simple - but Michael Howard has lived it. This week on Feds At The Edge, we get the unvarnished truth about making the difficult transition from federal on-prem networks to the cloud.
Michael Howard, Engineering and Digital Transformation Chief at TRANSCOM, compares available tools, highlights the shift from waterfall to agile development, and explains why quarterly updates no longer cut it.
Howard explores the benefits of containerized workloads for portability, the importance of CSP-specific training, and how his team built a zero-trust-ready cloud environment.
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform to learn how Kubernetes, DevSecOps, and cloud-native tools can boost efficiency, security, and adaptability.