AI Isn't Coming - It's Already Here

I recently attended the ACT-IAC AI Forum, where government leaders, technology companies, and AI experts shared how they are actually using artificial intelligence today, not just talking about it. ACT-IAC keeps its public events on the official ACT-IAC event calendar, which is a helpful place to track forums like this one.

One thing became clear almost immediately: the conversation has changed.

AI Should Help People, Not Replace Them

Nearly every speaker stressed the same point. AI is not about replacing employees. It is about taking repetitive, time-consuming tasks off people's plates so they can spend more time solving problems, making decisions, and serving customers.

Think about everything we spend hours doing every week:

Those are exactly the kinds of tasks AI can help with.

AI Is Growing Up

Most of us have used ChatGPT or another chatbot. You ask a question. It gives you an answer. Done.

But the next generation of AI goes much further. Several speakers introduced the idea of AI agents. Instead of simply answering questions, AI agents can work through a multi-step task while a person reviews the results.

Instead of doing each step yourself, an AI agent could work through the process while you review, question, and improve the output. That is a very different way of thinking about AI.

Trust Is Everything

One message I heard over and over was simple: do not blindly trust AI.

Government leaders emphasized the importance of testing AI continuously, checking its work, monitoring for mistakes, and keeping humans involved in important decisions.

AI is incredibly powerful, but it still needs oversight. Like any employee or tool, it performs better when there are clear expectations, good training, and quality reviews.

For anyone working in or around government, this is also where the public guidance matters. The NIST AI Risk Management Framework is a useful reference for thinking about trustworthy AI, and OMB's M-25-21 memo on federal AI use makes clear that agencies are expected to innovate while still protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

The Best AI Solves Real Problems

Some of the most impressive demonstrations were not flashy. They focused on everyday business problems.

None of these use cases were about replacing people. They were about removing repetitive work so people could focus on what matters most.

Do Not Buy AI Just Because It Is Cool

One presentation compared buying AI to buying a car. Sometimes we buy the exciting vehicle with all the bells and whistles because it looks impressive. Then we realize it does not actually fit our needs.

The same thing can happen with AI. Organizations should not start by asking, "Which AI tool should we buy?" They should start by asking, "What problem are we trying to solve?"

That idea also shows up in federal acquisition guidance. OMB's AI acquisition memo emphasizes responsible buying, competition, portability, and avoiding costly dependencies. Those are practical concerns, not abstract policy points.

Training May Be More Important Than Technology

One of my favorite quotes from the day came from a Department of Transportation speaker:

"If people aren't being trained, we're leaving them behind."

That really stuck with me. Technology changes quickly. Helping people understand how to use it responsibly is just as important as the technology itself.

OPM's 2026 AI Training Series for Government Employees is a good example of that shift. DOT has also published its AI activities and strategy materials, including how it is thinking about internal operations, research, citizen-facing services, and workforce development.

My Biggest Takeaway

The biggest thing I learned was not about a new AI model or a new software product.

The future is not humans versus AI. It is humans working with AI.

Organizations that learn how to do that responsibly will be in the best position to serve their customers, support their employees, and adapt to whatever comes next.