AI-in-Gov Inside the Black Box

George Mason University AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box: Engineering AI for the Real World

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Dr. Amarda Shehu welcome Dr. Ali Raz, Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering and Operations Research at George Mason University, for a conversation on what it takes to move AI from promising technology to trusted, real-world solutions. Together, they explore systems engineering, digital twins, autonomous systems, and the challenges of integrating AI into complex, mission-critical environments. Dr. Raz shares why successful AI adoption requires more than powerful algorithms—it demands systems thinking, rigorous testing, and a focus on trust, safety, and collaboration to ensure AI delivers meaningful results in government and beyond.
To connect with Dr. Raz, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
Produced by Jessica Fonoroff. This episode is sponsored by This episode is sponsored by Moara.io. 

George Mason University AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box: Building the Future Before It's Taught

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Dr. Amarda Shehu welcome AI-in-Gov Fellow Bernie Schmidt, Assistant Director of George Mason University's Data Analytics Engineering program. Together, they explore how universities are preparing the next generation of AI professionals in a field that evolves faster than traditional curricula can keep pace. From real-world capstone projects involving cloud platforms, AI agents, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) to the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and hands-on experience, Bernie shares how students are learning to build technologies that may not even exist when they begin their studies. The conversation offers valuable insights into the future of AI education, workforce development, and what it takes to stay ahead in an era of constant technological change.
To connect with Bernie, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
Produced by Jessica Fonoroff. This episode is sponsored by Alapient.
 

George Mason University AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box: When AI Becomes a Companion

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu sit down with entrepreneur, author, and AI expert Tamara Nall to explore the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. Drawing from personal experiences and her work developing AI companionship platforms, Tamara discusses how AI can help address loneliness, support people through life’s transitions, and augment—not replace—human connection. The conversation also touches on entrepreneurship, the future of human-AI partnerships, and a bold vision for a world where AI companions become an accepted part of everyday life.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
Produced by Jessica Fonoroff. This episode is sponsored by Solution Street.

George Mason University AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box: Rethinking Intelligence Through Brain-Inspired Computing

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu welcome Mariam Parsa from George Mason University for a fascinating conversation on neuromorphic computing and the future of brain-inspired AI. Together, they explore how researchers are rethinking artificial intelligence beyond traditional large language models—diving into topics like spiking neural networks, hyperdimensional computing, adaptive learning systems, and hardware/software co-design. Parsa also shares how her research with organizations including the U.S. Army and Department of Energy is helping shape AI systems that are more efficient, resilient, and capable of adapting to unfamiliar environments, bringing us one step closer to machines that learn more like the human brain.
To connect with Maryam, follow her on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
Produced by Jessica Fonoroff. This episode is sponsored by Moara.io.

George Mason University AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box: AI, ROI, and the Reinvention of Government Contracting

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu sit down with Ravi Mudumby and Ravindra Shukla from 22nd Century Technologies to explore how AI is reshaping government operations, cybersecurity, procurement, and workforce development. From modernizing decades-old legacy systems and enabling smarter data analysis to discussing outcome-based contracting, human oversight, and the future of GovCon, the conversation dives into both the opportunities and tensions emerging as government agencies move from AI curiosity to AI-driven transformation.
To connect with Ravi, follow him on LinkedIn here.To connect with Ravindra, follow him on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
Produced by Jessica Fonoroff. This episode is sponsored by Mathsolutely.

George Mason University AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box - Building Resilience: AI, Risk, and Real-World Decisions – Part 2

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu sit down with Catalina Gonzalez Duenas to explore how AI is being applied to real-world challenges like infrastructure resilience and disaster response. Catalina shares how her work uses probabilistic modeling and AI to better understand and predict the impacts of extreme events, and why data, uncertainty, and human behavior all play a critical role in decision-making. The conversation also examines where AI is making meaningful progress, where it still falls short, and what it takes to translate technical insights into practical action—from FEMA and resource allocation to broader questions of trust, responsibility, and adoption.
To connect with Catalina, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
This episode is sponsored by Alapient. 

Building Resilience: AI, Risk, and Real-World Decisions – Part 1

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu sit down with Catalina Gonzalez Duenas to explore how AI is being applied to real-world challenges like infrastructure resilience and disaster response. Catalina shares how her work uses probabilistic modeling and AI to better understand and predict the impacts of extreme events, and why data, uncertainty, and human behavior all play a critical role in decision-making. The conversation also examines where AI is making meaningful progress, where it still falls short, and what it takes to translate technical insights into practical action—from FEMA and resource allocation to broader questions of trust, responsibility, and adoption.
To connect with Catalina, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.

George Mason AI-in-Gov's Inside the Black Box - From Lab to Field: Building Robots for the Real World

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu speak with Xuesu Xiao about advancing robotics beyond controlled lab environments and into complex, real-world settings. Xuesu shares his work in disaster and field robotics, emphasizing human-machine teaming, off-road autonomy, and deploying robots in unpredictable environments to support missions like search and rescue. The conversation explores the balance between autonomy and human control, the limitations of current AI approaches such as large language models in robotics, and the importance of field-driven experimentation to build robust, mission-ready systems.
To connect with Xuesu, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
This episode is sponsored by Solution Street.

Building What Matters: Scaling AI with Mission in Mind

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Richard Jacik and Dr. Amarda Shehu speak with Deneen Williams, CEO of Priwils, about her journey from studying management science to leading a technology firm supporting federal agencies. They discuss how organizations can successfully introduce and scale AI in government by focusing on mission-driven use cases, starting with small pilots, and prioritizing workforce training and adoption. The conversation also explores the importance of critical thinking in an AI-enabled world, the role of industry and universities in preparing the next generation of technologists, and how emerging AI tools are changing the way teams analyze data, develop solutions, and support government missions.
To connect with Deneen, follow her on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
This episode is sponsored by Mathsolutely.

From Missiles to Math: Engineering AI for High-Stakes Decisions

Matt Fisher, Vice President of Engineering at CoAspire and co-founder of Mathsolutely, joins Richard Jacik and Amarda Shehu for a wide-ranging conversation on deploying AI in environments where failure isn’t an option. From designing affordable, modular missile systems with strict safety and explainability requirements to building AI-augmented SAT math prep tools with robust guardrails, Fisher shares how engineering discipline, reuse, and careful oversight make high-stakes AI possible. The episode explores autonomy, government approval hurdles, model selection, and the future of AI in both defense and education—proving that whether the mission is hitting a target or raising a test score, responsible engineering makes all the difference.
To connect with Matt, follow him on LinkedIn here.
Connect with host Amarda Shehu on LinkedIn here.Connect with host Richard Jacik on LinkedIn here.For more information about the GMU AI-in-Gov Council, follow them on LinkedIn here.
This episode is sponsored by Solution Street.