Top US Federal AI Officials: A Comprehensive Overview
Federal chief AI officers are quickly becoming some of the most powerful decision-makers in government. These public servants are influencing compliance requirements, cloud standards, and many other key technologies.
These leaders are shaping how AI is adopted, governed, and scaled across federal agencies, from the White House and intelligence community to civilian agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. Their strategies influence everything from compliance requirements to workforce development, pilot programs, and acquisition priorities.
Why Do Chief AI Officers Matter for GovCons?
For government contractors (GovCons), these officials are crucial as they define trusted, secure, and deployable AI at the federal level. Understanding their priorities—risk management, transparency, data readiness, and real-world impact—provides contractors with a clearer view of emerging opportunities and how to align offerings with the government’s evolving AI agenda.
This document provides insights into the backgrounds of prominent federal AI officers and how they are defining technological excellence.
Key Federal AI Officials
David Sacks – AI and Crypto Czar, White House
David Sacks has been a leading force behind President Trump’s AI initiatives. He played a crucial role in drafting the December executive order that limits state regulation of AI. Sacks has advocated for a free market approach to federal funding for AI startups.
Jeremy Walsh – Chief AI Officer, Food and Drug Administration
Jeremy Walsh, the FDA’s first AI chief, has over a decade of experience at Booz Allen. He coordinated a proactive timeline to scale AI use in all FDA centers after a successful generative AI pilot, which significantly reduced manual tasks in the review process.
Gregory Barbaccia – Federal CIO, Office of Management and Budget
As the federal chief information officer, Gregory Barbaccia supervises the integration of secure technology in the federal government. He won the Wash100 Award in 2025 for his excellence in innovation and public service. Barbaccia has urged government CIOs to build trust through transparency.
Lakshmi Raman – AI Director, CIA
Lakshmi Raman is pioneering innovative AI use at the CIA, focusing on agentic AI where agents take actions autonomously. She leads critical efforts in analytics and data integration across the intelligence community.
Scott Flanders – CIO, Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Scott Flanders developed an AI Compliance Plan aimed at providing trustworthy access to software tools, emphasizing the use of secure, FedRAMP-approved cloud environments.
Helena Fu – Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies Director, Department of Energy
Helena Fu is leading the DOE’s exploration of emerging technologies, including AI. She has spearheaded the development of two of the world’s fastest supercomputers, significantly enhancing the agency’s data capabilities.
Paras Malik – Chief AI Officer, Department of Treasury
Paras Malik has drafted an AI strategy focusing on financial detection and risk analysis, and has launched a secure AI-based chat service to enhance staff learning.
Charles Worthington – Chief Technology Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs
Charles Worthington is leveraging AI to improve healthcare delivery within the VA, utilizing machine learning for faster disease detection and better identification of at-risk veterans.
Niki Maslin – Chief AI Officer, Environmental Protection Agency
Niki Maslin authored both the EPA AI Compliance Plan and AI Strategy, focusing on governance and risk management to enhance AI use within the agency.
Valerie Szczepanik – Chief AI Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission
Valerie Szczepanik leads the SEC’s newly formed AI task force, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and innovation within the organization.
Conclusion
AI is emerging as an essential capability across the federal government. Understanding the roles and initiatives of these federal AI officials is crucial for stakeholders looking to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in government. Their work is laying the foundation for responsible AI adoption and innovation, paving the way for future advancements in the public sector.
Be part of the federal AI conversation at the upcoming Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 18, where you can engage directly with these top federal officials.
