Lori Wade, Intelligence Community Chief Data Officer, took the stage at the DoDIIS Conference in Omaha, Neb. to discuss the role of architecture in fostering high-quality data and AI solutions that scale. Wade highlighted the “AI gold rush” as the government and private sectors race to maximize artificial intelligence’s potential, with AI investments possibly surpassing national defense as a GDP percentage, according to Goldman Sachs. The Intelligence Community (IC) recognizes that a cohesive data strategy is essential in this AI-driven environment, and Wade’s focus is clear: we must prioritize data hygiene, security, and collaboration to make the most of AI innovations while securing national interests.
The IC’s Data Reference Architecture: Building on Four Principles
At the core of the IC’s data strategy is its Data Reference Architecture, grounded in four foundational principles:
- Domain Ownership and Decentralized Stewardship: Data should be governed at the source level, making individual domains accountable for quality and reliability.
- Data as a Product: Treating data as an asset shifts the focus toward quality, usability, and lifecycle management.
- Self-Service Data Platform: Providing accessible tools empowers users across the IC to leverage data efficiently and effectively.
- Federated Computational Governance: A shared governance approach that ensures robust compliance and seamless data integration across agencies.
The architecture emphasizes the need for data to be tagged, labeled, and protected from inception. Wade explained that “data hygiene” is no longer the job of individual analysts; automation must handle the labeling and protection, as human effort alone cannot keep pace with the vast datasets involved.
From Allies to Innovation: Strengthening Partnerships and AI Investments
Wade underscored the importance of interagency and international collaboration, including alliances with NATO and the Five Eyes intelligence partnership, which have developed a unified data strategy and lexicon. She voiced optimism about the “art of the possible” in AI, immersive technologies, and the metaverse, believing that these innovations will strengthen intelligence capabilities. Wade also highlighted the recent partnership with the University of Virginia to establish the National Security Data and Policy Institute, a resource to further shape the IC’s approach to data and policy in the AI era.
Balancing Innovation with Foundational Work
For Wade, moving quickly on AI advancements must not detract from fundamental work in data architecture and security. “We need everything to bear,” she said, urging for investment in AI, but without sacrificing data quality and foundational standards that enable successful deployment of AI at scale. As this vision unfolds, the IC’s approach to data architecture will be instrumental in defining the future of intelligence operations in an AI-dominated landscape.
