Charles Lyons-Burt
Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly the most critical technology shaping the federal sector right now. Former U.S. Air Force and Space Force Chief Software Officer Nicolas Chaillan knew this, which is why he founded Ask Sage in 2023 upon exiting his government roles. The company has developed a generative AI platform for government and regulated industries.
Christopher Gordon, a 25-year public sector exec, joined Ask Sage as vice president of sales in May. In this role, he’s charged with driving revenue across all sectors and has already made an impact in scaling the organization.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Gordon for a Spotlight interview, where we delved into the rapidly growing artificial intelligence market. Our conversation explored the diverse applications of generative AI, its seamless integration with other emerging technologies and the various compliance pathways shaping the journey of Ask Sage.
If you want an in-depth discussion of how AI is impacting intelligence community missions, attend the AI panel at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2. The conversation will feature Israel Soong, deputy director of the CIA’s Office of Artificial Intelligence, alongside representatives from industry and academia. Don’t miss this riveting GovCon industry event!
ExecutiveBiz: Tell me about the current state of generative artificial intelligence. Where are you seeing new opportunities in GenAI, and where do you think the market is heading?
Christopher Gordon: Generative AI is evolving at an incredible pace, especially in the federal space where AI has already moved from being a buzzword to a critical tool for solving real-world challenges across government agencies.
The current state of the market is defined by rapid adoption and increased investment. Federal agencies are leveraging genAI for everything from automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making. For example, the Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to use generative AI to improve healthcare delivery, while the Department of Defense is deploying Ask Sage for numerous use cases ranging from acquisition support and evaluations to predictive analytics, and cybersecurity. The National AI Initiative Act has been a major driver, ensuring that the U.S. remains a leader in AI innovation.
There are so many exciting areas where AI is making a significant impact. Cybersecurity, for instance, is one of the most critical. With the rise in cyber threats, AI is being leveraged to detect and respond to attacks in real time, helping agencies safeguard sensitive data and critical infrastructure.
Another transformative area is predictive maintenance. In sectors like defense and transportation, AI is optimizing equipment performance, reducing costs and improving reliability.
Federal healthcare is also undergoing a revolution thanks to AI. From personalized medicine to predictive analytics, agencies like Veteran Affairs are using AI to deliver better outcomes for patients.
And we can’t overlook the role of AI in addressing climate and energy challenges. It’s being used to model climate change, optimize energy grids and support sustainability efforts.
There’s also a growing push for AI-driven automation. Robotic process automation is streamlining workflows across agencies, making operations more efficient. At the same time, the intersection of AI and quantum computing is opening doors to solving complex problems that were once thought to be out of reach.
The AI market is thriving, and federal agencies are charging ahead with innovative solutions. The opportunities are vast, and the focus is on making generative AI more transparent, scalable and impactful. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of this space.
EBiz: What qualities define a trustworthy generative AI platform and what are some steps companies can take to validate their AI?
Gordon: Trustworthy generative AI is a critical topic, especially as these technologies are being integrated into high-stakes environments like the federal government. Building confidence requires focusing on key qualities that ensure reliability and accountability.
First, transparency is essential. Systems must provide clear explanations of how decisions are made. This is particularly important in the federal space, where decisions can impact millions of people. Stakeholders need to understand the ‘why’ behind AI’s recommendation or action.
Second, fairness is non-negotiable, and these systems must be free from bias and ensure equitable outcomes for all users. This means addressing biases in both the data and the algorithms. For example, if an AI system is used in hiring, loan approvals or even federal contract awards, it must not disadvantage certain groups unfairly.
Third, accountability is key. Developers and operators must take responsibility for the actions of their AI systems. This includes ensuring that the system performs as intended and addressing any unintended consequences.
Fourth, robustness is critical. AI systems must be resilient to adversarial attacks and function reliably under various conditions. In the federal space, where systems may face cyber threats or operate in unpredictable environments, robustness is a must-have.
Finally, privacy and security are foundational. AI systems must protect sensitive data and comply with privacy regulations like FedRAMP or the AI Bill of Rights. This is especially important when dealing with classified or personal information.
Building trustworthy AI is about more than just technical excellence, it’s about aligning the system with ethical principles, ensuring fairness, and validating its performance rigorously. By focusing on these qualities and steps, we can create AI systems that are not only effective but also deserve public trust.
EBiz: What are some other important emerging technologies in the federal space that complement and work well with generative AI?
Gordon: That’s a great question! Generative AI is incredibly powerful on its own, but it’s true, potential is unlocked when paired with other emerging technologies. We are beginning to see several technologies that complement genAI and amplify its impact.
First, 5G networks are a game-changer. The speed and low latency of 5G enable real-time applications, which is critical for things like autonomous systems, disaster response and even battlefield operations. With 5G, GenAI can process and act on data faster than ever before, even in remote or high-demand environments.
Second, edge computing and devices are becoming increasingly important and generate massive amounts of data. Generative AI is the key to making sense of it all. Instead of sending all data to a centralized server, edge computing allows generative AI to process data closer to where it’s generated, whether that’s a drone, a sensor or a field device. This reduces latency and improves efficiency, which is especially valuable in disconnected or low-connectivity environments, like military operations or disaster zones.
Finally, quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography, a.k.a. PQC, are emerging as pivotal technologies on the horizon. Although still in its infancy, quantum computing holds promise of tackling complex challenges, as well introducing new cyber risks that traditional defenses cannot solve. Its integration with generative AI could transform fields such as cryptography, logistics and modeling, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for innovation. Equally important is post-quantum resiliency, ensuring that systems remain secure and robust against the potential threats posed by quantum-powered decryption capabilities.
In the federal space, generative AI isn’t just about the technology itself, it’s about how it seamlessly integrates with complementary innovations to build smarter, faster and more secure systems. This synergy is driving the transformation of federal operations and revolutionizing service delivery for the future.
EBiz: Where is Ask Sage in its compliance journey with the major federal compliance requirements?
Gordon: That’s an important question, especially given how critical compliance is in the federal government. Ask Sage has made significant strides in its compliance journey, and we’re committed to meeting the highest standards required by federal agencies.
Ask Sage has already achieved FedRAMP High authorization status, which is a major milestone. This demonstrates that our platform meets stringent security and operational requirements for cloud services. It’s a foundational step that shows we’re serious about protecting federal data and ensuring trust.
We’ve also obtained DOD Impact Level 5, 6 and Top-Secret authorizations. This is particularly important for agencies that need secure solutions for sensitive and classified data. Achieving IL5, IL6 and Top-Secret certifications enable us to support classified and mission-critical workloads, which is essential for our customers in the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Achieving these certifications required rigorous testing and validation and we are fully committed to meeting these standards now and maintaining our authorization into the future.
Beyond certifications, we’re also focused on continuous monitoring. Compliance isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s an ongoing process. We’ve implemented systems to ensure we stay ahead of evolving federal requirements and maintain the integrity of our platform.
