Agencies are pushing ahead on various IT modernization efforts all the time. But how do they actually make those initiatives successful, and what are the technologies that will have the most impact? Agencies that have embraced technology change are already starting to see the benefit of disruptive models to deliver their missions and better outcomes in new ways, according to Accenture Federal Services' "Federal Vision 2030" report. "And they are creating more value for citizens and empowering employees with exciting new ways to serve," the report says. "Other less agile agencies fall behind in applying the latest technologies and approaches to reimagine the mission and business. When this gap widens, public trust declines and workforce engagement drops -- and external adversaries may stoke these instabilities."

Buzz about artificial intelligence has led to increased spending and put several Trump administration directives in motion, but only a handful of agencies have gotten into the early stages of AI adoption. However, a second wave of agencies may soon launch their own AI tools if they can overcome some common hurdles. The Professional Services Council Foundation, in a report released Wednesday, highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities agencies face in using AI to deliver on their mission. Looking across four agencies -- Defense Department, the General Services Administration, NASA and the Department of Health and Human Services -- the report highlights use cases where program offices have pioneered AI to reduce backlogs or increase the output of their existing workforce. "They've turned to AI to say, 'Are there routine decisions that we make on a regular basis that AI is now competent enough to handle in a way that we can delegate those decision processes to?'" Dominic Delmolino, the chief technology officer at Accenture Federal Services, said Wednesday at a briefing with reporters. Alan Chvotkin, the executive vice president and counsel at PSC, said contract obligations and AI-related investments grew almost 75% to nearly $700 million between fiscal 2016 and 2018.

It was just two years ago that artificial intelligence seemed to burst onto the government agenda. In August 2016 then-President Barack Obama was the guest editor for an issue of Wired magazine and spoke with head of the MIT Media Lab Joi Ito about AI and its implications. "Early in a technology, a thousand flowers should bloom," Obama said. "And the government should add a relatively light touch, investing heavily in research and making sure there's a conversation between basic research and applied research." Two months later, the Obama administration released a report on AI, A broad overview of the emerging technology, the report dedicated just a few pages to how the government could benefit from AI.