AI-in-Gov Inside the Black Box

In this special Halloween edition of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, we're digging up some of the most thought-provoking conversations from Season 1 to explore the darker side of artificial intelligence. From deepfakes and AI hallucinations to hidden biases and the mysteries inside the black box, five past guests examine what happens when technology becomes harder to distinguish from reality, understand, or trust. With a few spooky twists along the way, this episode explores why transparency, human oversight, and a healthy dose of skepticism matter as AI continues to evolve.
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.
Narrated and produced by Jessica Fonoroff. 
 

Moving to the cloud doesn't always mean moving forward. Noel Hara, Senior Vice President and Head of Public Sector at RiverMeadow, joins Richard Jacik and Dr. Amarda Shehu on this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box to explore the challenges of modernizing government technology. From aging legacy systems and rising infrastructure costs to cybersecurity risks and AI-powered migration tools, they discuss how agencies can move beyond simply relocating outdated systems and use cloud migration as an opportunity for meaningful transformation.
To connect with Noel, 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 Brillient Corporation.  

AI can be powerful—but in safety-critical systems, “almost right” isn’t good enough. Tech futurist and former Navy fighter pilot Missy Cummings joins Richard Jacik and Dr. Amarda Shehu on AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box to explore what happens when AI moves into high-stakes, real-world applications. From self-driving cars and computer vision to human oversight and regulation, they discuss why 97% accuracy may sound impressive—but when safety is on the line, it may not be good enough.
To connect with Missy, 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 Mathsolutely.

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, Dr. Liling Huang joins hosts Richard Jacik and Dr. Amarda Shehu to explore what happens when AI’s growing demand for energy begins to outpace the infrastructure powering it. From data centers and grid modernization to workforce challenges and the next generation of engineers, they discuss what it will take to build a more resilient energy future while keeping pace with AI innovation.
To connect with Liling, 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 Brillient. 

In this episode of AI-in-Gov: Inside the Black Box, hosts Dr. Amarda Shehu and Richard Jacik sit down with I-Sah Hsieh, North Carolina’s Deputy Secretary for AI and Policy, to explore what it takes to move quickly with AI without leaving trust behind. Drawing on his experience across government, industry, and global organizations, I-Sah shares how North Carolina is creating space to experiment with AI, building partnerships with the private sector, and embedding responsible AI practices from the start. The conversation explores why governance doesn’t have to slow innovation, the critical role of AI literacy and culture, and why the future of government AI may depend less on the technology itself and more on earning the confidence of the people who use it.
To connect with I-Sah, 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.

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. 

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.
 

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.

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.

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.