At ClearanceJobs Connect West, Col. Kris Saling delivered a keynote challenging the perception that artificial intelligence is a future concept. “Our future of AI and data is happening around us all over the place,” she said. The session walked through how the Army—and organizations across national security—can rethink talent management by combining people, platforms, processes, and culture.
Col. Saling framed AI as a tool—like a car—that requires an entire ecosystem to operate successfully. From data scientists to sustainment engineers to governance teams and even “AI pedestrians,” understanding how to build and support a tech-enabled workforce is critical.
She emphasized that many AI-driven tools are already in use—from redacting sensitive information to helping recruiters match skill sets. “AI is not going to take your job. It’s going to take your task,” Saling explained. She encouraged the audience to focus on data literacy, experimentation, and cross-functional collaboration between business professionals and technologists.
The keynote also introduced practical frameworks, such as Gay Hendricks’ “Zone of Genius” model, to help teams decide what tasks should be automated, elevated, or eliminated. “You don’t want to automate your genius—you want to elevate it,” she said.
Col. Saling closed with an invitation to rethink how AI and data are used in daily operations, urging attendees to explore free tools, online learning platforms, and practical ways to increase digital fluency within their teams.
