The GovCIO Media & Research podcast network comprises GovCast, AI GovCast, CyberCast and HealthCast featuring conversations with key leaders on timely issues impacting the federal IT landscape. Topics include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, IT modernization, data analytics, workforce development and more. New episodes release weekly.
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August 18, 20266 min
Navy CTO on the Service's AI-First Push | GovCast
The Navy is making AI and data central to how it operates, with a new strategy focused on faster decision-making and scaling what works. Department of the Navy CTO Justin Fanelli discussed the service's push toward an AI-first maritime force, how officials are evaluating AI projects based on return on investment and mission impact, and why the "make versus buy" mindset is becoming increasingly important in software development. He also shared how the Navy is organizing technology portfolios, moving capabilities from pilot to production faster and building a software-defined fleet that can adapt to changing mission needs.
August 12, 202641 min
Readiness Lessons From CIA's First Chief Wellbeing Officer | Technically Zen
Former CIA Chief Wellbeing Officer Jennifer Posa discussed why workforce wellbeing is a strategic driver of mission success. She drew on her experience building the CIA's first agency-wide wellbeing strategy to explain why leaders should focus on creating "readiness," not just resilience, to help employees perform in high-pressure, unpredictable environments. She outlined the four pillars of readiness, purpose, security, strength and culture, and shared practical strategies organizations can use to improve performance, strengthen leadership and build healthier, more resilient teams in an era of constant change.
August 11, 20266 min
Air Force Software Official: AI Should Reuse Code, Not Rewrite It | CyberCast
Government software development pipelines are increasingly integrating AI coding assistants, but Air Force Sustainment Center Software Directorate CTO Kurt Jarvis said success depends on improving how developers use existing code, not just generating new code faster. Speaking with GovCIO Media & Research at the Carahsoft DevSecOps Conference, Jarvis outlined an engineer-first approach that uses retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), vector databases and established DevSecOps pipelines to safely accelerate software development. Jarvis said one of the biggest opportunities for AI is helping developers discover and reuse decades of trusted software already maintained by the Air Force. The goal, he said, is to make AI a code‑reuse engine, not a code‑generation machine. He also emphasized that AI has not changed the Air Force's software engineering standards. Existing CI/CD pipelines are still the foundation for evaluating AI-generated code. AI can accelerate development, Jarvis said, but engineering discipline and human oversight remain essential to producing mission-ready software.
August 4, 20267 min
Army Targets New DevSecOps Initiative Using AI to Speed Code Reviews, Authorizations | GovCast
Army Acting CIO Gabe Chiulli discussed an upcoming DevSecOps initiative that aims to improve sharing and securing code with industry partners. In what Chiulli dubbed "Project Gatekeeper," the effort aims to streamline industry access, enable rapid code evaluation using AI and incentivize partners by offering quicker deployment authorizations. Drawing from prior roles, most recently as CTO in the Army's Enterprise Cloud Management Agency, Chiulli highlighted the challenges the service is facing with increased vulnerabilities due to AI and the importance of streamlining collaboration with industry to better secure systems and remediate threats. He shared how he sees partnership across the military branches and the importance of enabling code to be deployed across multiple platforms, including proper logging and security controls. He said his priority areas at the Army center around rapid modernization and improved contracting processes to optimize infrastructure and systems across operations.
July 28, 202631 min
DISA Shifts From Government-Built Cyber Tools to Commercial Tech | CyberCast
Six months after War Secretary Pete Hegseth directed sweeping acquisition reforms across the department, the Defense Information Systems Agency is accelerating its transition from government-developed cybersecurity tools to commercial technologies. On this episode of CyberCast, Brian Hermann, director of PAE Cyber at DISA, discussed how the agency is modernizing its cyber acquisition strategy by prioritizing commercial solutions, software-as-a-service offerings and more flexible contracting approaches. Hermann explained why DISA believes commercial technologies can deliver capabilities faster, reduce operational risk and better keep pace with evolving cyber threats. The conversation also explored how DISA is breaking down budget silos and consolidating resources to give portfolio leaders greater flexibility to adopt new technologies and retire legacy systems more quickly. As the department's acquisition transformation takes shape, Hermann outlines DISA's evolving role as an integrator of commercial capabilities — ensuring interoperability and mission effectiveness across contested, coalition and edge environments.
July 21, 20266 min
NEA Leverages AI to Drive Software Development | CyberCast
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape government technology, National Endowment for the Arts CIO and Chief AI Officer Jim Tunnessen said the technology has significant potential to accelerate modernization, streamline software development and improve operational efficiency. Tunnessen pointed to AI-assisted development as a fundamental shift in how agencies build applications, enabling smaller teams to deliver capabilities faster than through traditional development methods. He said agencies must balance those gains with strong governance, transparency and cybersecurity guardrails. At the NEA, Tunnessen views AI as a tool for enhancing back-office operations while ensuring human judgment remains central to evaluating artistic work.
July 16, 202610 min
VA OIG CIO Outlines AI Deployment, Modernization Priorities | CyberCast
The Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of the Inspector General serves as the agency's internal watchdog, and leaders are leveraging technology to improve oversight. The office's CIO Lance Jenkinson discussed how the OIG is using AI to strengthen oversight, improve operational efficiency and ensure the agency's IT systems meet security and compliance requirements. Jenkinson also discussed why strong governance, clear policies and thoughtful implementation are essential to maximizing AI's benefits while mitigating potential risks.
July 14, 202617 min
Agile Acquisition Becomes DISA's New Battlefield Advantage | CyberCast
DODNet leaders say 90-day OTA cycles and flexible engineering models are helping DISA deliver capabilities at the speed of cyber threats. Guest: Kelli Garczynski, acting DODNet Deputy Program Manager, and Mike Butler, Chief Engineer, DODNet, DISA Description: As cyber threats evolve and technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the Defense Information Systems Agency is rethinking how it acquires and delivers capabilities. Acting DODNet Deputy Program Manager Kelli Garczynski and DODNet Chief Engineer Mike Butler joined CyberCast to discuss how DISA is adopting agile acquisition strategies and accelerating procurement timelines to strengthen network defenses and deliver mission capabilities faster. Butler said DISA must pair technical agility with contract agility to keep pace with rapidly changing threats across War Department networks. Traditional acquisition timelines, he noted, can leave critical engineering efforts lagging behind emerging mission requirements. To address that challenge, Garczynski said DISA is increasingly using Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) to rapidly identify, evaluate and deploy the best technologies for warfighters. By leveraging OTAs, DISA aims to move from industry engagement to contract award in as little as 90 days, dramatically reducing the time required to field new capabilities. Garczynski added that modern architectures such as DODNet and DISA's zero-trust initiative, Thunderdome, cannot be developed through rigid, static requirements. Butler said continuous data collection and operational feedback allow DISA to adjust requirements in real time, enabling more responsive development and a stronger defense against active adversaries.
July 9, 20264 min
USPIS Uses AI to Advance Criminal Investigations
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is using artificial intelligence to strengthen criminal investigations and improve workforce efficiency. Eric Shen, inspector in charge of the Criminal Investigations Group, explained how investigators use AI to analyze large volumes of data, identify patterns and generate insights that support complex investigations. Shen also discussed how the agency is applying AI to streamline administrative workflows, giving personnel more time to focus on investigative work. While AI is not replacing investigators, it is helping teams uncover connections in sophisticated crimes, including financial fraud, that would be difficult or time-consuming to detect through manual analysis alone.
July 8, 202628 min
Advice for the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals | Technically Zen
Cybersecurity leader and author Agatha Merle discussed her unconventional path into cybersecurity, why creating more inclusive workplaces is essential to strengthening the industry and how creativity has become one of the most important tools for cyber defenders. Merle shared lessons from interviewing more than 100 women for her book, "Cyber Like a Girl", and offered practical advice for leaders on recruiting, mentoring and retaining diverse talent. She also explained why networking, authentic mentorship and building a strong support system can help aspiring professionals thrive in the field.
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