DOL CIO Mangala Kuppa on scaling AI beyond pilot projects

Mangala Kuppa, CIO and Chief AI Officer at the Department of Labor, discussed the transition from AI pilot projects to operational use. Key factors include intentional pilot selection, early adopter engagement and continuous monitoring. Kuppa emphasized the importance of embedding AI into routine activities for long-term success. She also highlighted the role of chief data officers in preparing data for AI, noting DOL’s centralized IT operations and pre-processing efforts. Kuppa stressed the need for a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to leverage data effectively for AI initiatives.