The true potential of emerging technology is unlocked when it integrates with a modern, flexible infrastructure. This session explores how federal agencies—which spend over $100 billion each year on IT—are moving from maintaining expensive legacy systems to deploying future-ready architectures that boost mission success. Agency leaders will discuss how they are modernizing infrastructure, improving cybersecurity with Zero Trust, and consolidating tools to enhance efficiency and cut costs.

The panel will examine how AI and Generative AI are transforming predictive maintenance for infrastructure and resource management, highlighting responsible use and risk mitigation. Experts will also discuss how deploying next-generation wireless technologies, such as 6G and WiFi 7, helps close the gap for remote operations and rural digital services while supporting data-intensive applications.

Panel members will examine the integration of Operational Technology (OT), exploring how edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT) devices are used in smart cities, disaster response, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, speakers will highlight key aspects of cross-agency collaboration, shared services, and case studies that show interoperability. They will evaluate the adoption of Cloud Smart, the need to balance on-premises and off-premises solutions and modernize government procurement through a secure supply chain to address changing mandates focused on fraud, waste, and abuse.

Finally, the session will explore strategies for applying the Technology Business Management (TBM) framework to align IT spending with mission outcomes. Experts will also discuss how to prepare a digital-first workforce equipped with the skills and agility needed to manage rapid innovation. This panel offers an in-depth look at how these scenarios will influence the energy, infrastructure, and environmental sectors.

This panel will explore how agencies align their artificial intelligence (AI) strategies with the White House executive orders and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance. OMB memos establish federal policies for AI use and acquisition, emphasizing the responsible development and deployment of AI. Meanwhile, agencies are leveraging AI tools to advance their missions, such as accelerating scientific discovery, modernizing the energy grid, conducting predictive analysis for environmental issues, and enhancing national security. Experts will discuss how they are applying AI tools, the safeguards in place, and how their agencies plan to implement them to ensure AI systems uphold civil rights and prevent bias in decision-making. This includes protecting against algorithmic discrimination, establishing transparency, accountability, and human oversight. Building an AI-ready workforce is also crucial for federal agencies to effectively leverage AI’s benefits and address its challenges. AI tools can automate tasks, analyze large datasets, and generate insights that improve speed, efficiency, and overall performance in government operations. An AI-skilled workforce can help develop and apply innovative AI solutions to address complex public sector challenges, ranging from cybersecurity to climate change response. Experts will share their experiences in implementing upskilling and training programs focused on AI fundamentals, industry-specific AI applications, data literacy, and the responsible use of AI.

In this panel, government leaders will discuss their efforts to secure critical infrastructure and facilitate rapid, secure innovation. Experts will examine how federal policy serves as a key driver in developing cybersecurity compliance across government, continually adapting to a changing threat environment and technological advancements. Federal executive orders, mandates, and legislation actively promote the sharing of threat information between the government and the private sector, recognizing the importance of joint defense against cyberattacks. The shift toward a proactive, ongoing compliance approach in cybersecurity allows federal agencies in the energy and environmental sectors to go beyond simply responding to incidents, instead proactively identifying, mitigating, and countering threats more effectively and resiliently.

Additionally, our experts will explore ways to streamline the Authority to Operate (ATO) process for quicker technology adoption. Although the ATO is vital for ensuring the security and compliance of new solutions, it often causes delays that slow the adoption of critical technologies. However, with new strategies and increased automation, agencies can significantly cut down the time needed to obtain ATO, allowing for faster implementation of innovative solutions. Furthermore, federal policy actively supports the adoption of key future-proofing technologies, such as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Experts will emphasize the importance of a multifaceted, comprehensive approach to deploying this emerging technology, ensuring long-term data security and cryptographic flexibility.