The collaboration between the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) and the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM) on a series of webinars focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reached significant milestones since its inception. The inaugural webinar, titled "AI in Federal Government: Uses, Potential Applications, and Issues," took place on October 31, 2023, marking the beginning of an insightful discourse on the integration of AI within federal agencies. The event featured esteemed panelists, including Xuming He from Washington University in St. Louis, Nancy Potok, Bhramar Mukherjee from the University of Michigan, Michael Hawes from the U.S. Census Bureau, and Chris S. Marcum from the Office of the Chief Statistician of the United States. David S. Matteson, Director of the National Institute of Statistical Sciences, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of AI in shaping the future of federal operations.
The series aimed to equip federal practitioners and managers with invaluable insights into the applications and challenges of AI adoption within their respective agencies. By providing behind-the-scenes information and addressing organizational, managerial, and ethical concerns, the webinars aimed to streamline AI adoption efforts and inspire new initiatives. The collaborative effort between NISS and FCSM created unique opportunities for knowledge exchange and professional development, thanks to the sponsorship of the American Statistical Association (ASA), NORC at the University of Chicago, and RTI International.
The subsequent events in the series delved deeper into specific aspects of AI implementation and utilization. "Text Analysis: Methods and Use Cases," held on February 12, 2024, explored the applications of AI in text analysis, featuring speakers Brandon Kopp from BLS, Benjamin Rogers from CDC, Kenneth Haase from the Census Bureau, and Tala Fakhouri from the FDA, and moderated by Ed Strocko from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Following this, "Challenges in Confidentiality, Privacy, and Ethics for Use of AI by Federal Agencies," held on March 18, 2024, addressed critical ethical considerations associated with AI deployment, with insights shared by speakers Ellen Galantucci from the Federal Maritime Commission, Emily Hadley from RTI International, Benjamin Reist from NORC, and Kristi Boyd from SAS, moderated by Lisa Mirel from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The series continued with "Image Analysis: Methods and Use Cases," held on April 2, 2024, focusing on AI applications in image analysis, with speakers Scott Lee from CDC, Luca Sartore from USDA-NASS/NISS, Kusuma Prabhakara from the Census Bureau, and Andy Ramlatchan from the Department of Defense, moderated by Linda Young from USDA-NASS. Finally, "Challenges of Organizational Barriers, Developing Guidelines, and Managing Adoption of AI by Federal Agencies," held on April 17, 2024, explored strategies for overcoming organizational hurdles in AI adoption, featuring speakers Reva Schwartz from NIST, Kevin Tupper from Microsoft, Travis Hoppe from CDC/NCHS, and Stephanie Lee Studds from the US Census Bureau, moderated by Lisa Mirel from NSF. Each webinar provided attendees with practical knowledge and actionable insights tailored to their roles within federal agencies.
Looking ahead, NISS is co-sponsoring the "AI Day for Federal Statistics" on May 2, 2024, at the National Academies of Science in Washington, DC. Organized by CNSTAT at the National Academies of Science, FCSM, and NISS, this in-person session promises to be a culmination of the collaborative efforts aimed at advancing AI integration in federal statistical practices. With a diverse array of topics and expert speakers, the NISS/FCSM webinar series continues to serve as a cornerstone for fostering innovation and excellence in the federal AI landscape.
Upcoming Schedule
AI Day for Federal Statistics
Date: May 2, 2024 | Time: 10am - 4pm ET | Location: in person session, AI Day at the National Academies of Science in Washington, DC
Organizers: CNSTAT National Academies of Science, FCSM | Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology, NISS | National Institute of Statistical Sciences
Previous Events in Series
AI in Federal Government: Uses, Potential Applications, and Issues
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Location: Online Zoom Webinar
Opening Remarks: David S. Matteson, Director of National Institute of Statistical Sciences
Panelists: Xuming He, (Washington University in St. Louis & President of the International Statistical Institute), Nancy Potok (Former Chief Statistician of the United States), Bhramar Mukherjee, (University of Michigan), Michael Hawes (U.S. Census Bureau), Chris S. Marcum (Office of the Chief Statistician of the United States)
Moderator: Jennifer Parker, Director of the Division of Research and Methodology, National Center for Health Statistics
Text Analysis: Methods and Use Cases
Date: February 12, 2024 | Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Location: Online Zoom Webinar
Speakers: Brandon Kopp (BLS), Benjamin Rogers (CDC), Kenneth Haase (Census Bureau), Tala Fakhouri (FDA)
Moderator: Ed Strocko (BTS)
Challenges in Confidentiality, Privacy, and Ethics for Use of AI by Federal Agencies
Date: March 18, 2024 | Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Location: Online Zoom Webinar
Speakers: Ellen Galantucci (Federal Maritime Commission), Emily Hadley (RTI International), Benjamin Reist (NORC), Kristi Boyd (SAS)
Moderator: Lisa Mirel (NSF)
Image Analysis: Methods and Use Cases
Date: April 2, 2024 | Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Location: Online Zoom Webinar
Speakers: Scott Lee (CDC), Luca Sartore (USDA-NASS/NISS), Kusuma Prabhakara (Census), Andy Ramlatchan (Department of Defense)
Moderator: Linda Young (USDA-NASS)
Challenges of Organizational Barriers, Developing Guidelines, and Managing Adoption of AI by Federal Agencies
Date: April 17, 2024 | Time: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Location: Online Zoom Webinar
Speakers: Reva Schwartz (NIST), Kevin Tupper (Microsoft), Travis Hoppe (CDC/NCHS), Stephanie Lee Studds (US Census Bureau)
Moderator: Bob Sivinski (OMB/FCSM)
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