CISA names first Chief AI Officer; GSA hosts AI hackathon

Lisa Einstein, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s senior adviser for artificial intelligence, has been named the agency’s first chief AI officer. Einstein, a Stanford and Princeton graduate, joined CISA in 2022 as executive director of its Cybersecurity Advisory Committee. CISA Director Jen Easterly highlighted Einstein’s role in the agency’s AI advancements, calling her an inspirational leader. Einstein will continue to build AI expertise within CISA and leverage AI technology to support critical infrastructure. The agency uses AI for various applications, including the Automated Indicator Sharing program, which processes cyber threat indicators and defensive measures.

In other news, the General Services Administration hosted an AI hackathon across three cities: Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Participants from both the public and private sectors worked on solutions for federal agency websites. GSA leaders, including Administrator Robin Carnahan, CIO David Shive, and Chief Data and AI Officer Zach Whitman, discussed the importance of collaboration and access to AI tools. Whitman noted the agency’s efforts to unblock AI tools and ensure data and privacy protection within a controlled environment. Following President Biden’s AI executive order, GSA has allowed staff to apply for AI tool use for non-sensitive applications, enhancing innovation while managing risks.

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