DOT’s Dr. Mike Horton on why intentional AI strategies are needed for government

Dr. Mike Horton, Acting Chief AI Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation, discussed the evolving role of AI in government operations over the next four years, emphasizing the creation of “AI employees” to support human decision-making. He envisions thousands of AI employees across federal agencies and globally, highlighting the importance of infrastructure, training and risk management. Horton differentiated between “AI agents” and “AI employees,” stressing that AI is not free and requires significant investment for maintenance and performance. He advocates for intentional and costly AI strategies to enhance government services and research.