Josh Elliot: Booz Allen Engages in Federal Deep Learning, AI Tech Development Projects

Josh Elliot, principal and director of artificial intelligence at Booz Allen Hamilton, told Datanami in an interview published Thursday about the company’s involvement in deep learning programs within the federal government.

“We have probably 60 or more [projects] right now, today, active in deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence types of projects across the federal government right now,” Elliot told the publication at NVIDIA’s GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, Calif.

He discussed the company’s efforts to make government clients better understand AI and deep learning technologies.

“We talk a lot about AI and DL and where it applies. … There is opportunity for applying these technologies, but I think it needs to be balanced with what the mission is, what the infrastructure can support, what data exits, and the talent assets that you have,” he said.

Elliot cited the need for more research-and-development initiatives and proof of concepts to advance the use of deep learning in the government.

“But one of the most important things that we do in thinking through the design and implementation of these technologies in designing and implementing a machine learning or deep learning algorithm in a development environment is extremely different when you try to operationalize that into product,” he added.