# AI & Data Literacy for the Government Workforce Canonical URL: ## Overview Artificial intelligence (AI) and data are reshaping how agencies serve the public and make decisions. This four-hour, interactive training introduces government employees to the essentials of AI and data literacy, empowering them to understand, interpret, and engage confidently with data-driven technologies in their daily work. Through practical examples and hands-on activities, participants will learn core concepts, common terms, and best practices for working with AI tools and interpreting data. The course emphasizes real-world applications in government context and provides actionable strategies to boost digital confidence, support informed decision-making, and foster a data-savvy culture across the workforce. ## What you'll learn - Define basic concepts and terminology related to artificial intelligence and data - Recognize how AI and data are used in government agency programs and operations - Interpret simple data visualizations and AI outputs relevant to their roles - Identify common risks and ethical considerations with AI and data use - Apply foundational practices to improve data literacy and support responsible use of AI tools ## Curriculum #### Module 1: AI Foundations & Why Verification Comes First - Core AI and data concepts: algorithms, models, structured vs. unstructured data - Where AI training data comes from — and why it matters for output quality - The AI Validation Checklist: a seven-point verification framework - What hallucinations look like in practice — and why they're dangerous - The DIG framework: Describe, Introspect, Goal-Set before every AI analysis - The AI Decision Log: documenting prompts, output, verification, and decisions #### Module 2: AI in Government & Interpreting Data - AI in government operations: fraud detection, document automation, chatbots, predictive analytics - Human-AI partnership: why human oversight isn't optional - The ACHIEVE framework: deciding when to use AI - Common chart types and how to read them critically - Common pitfalls in data interpretation: correlation vs. causation, misleading averages, and more - Interpreting AI output: prediction scores, category labels, and generated insights #### Module 3: Responsible AI & Ethics - Current federal AI policy direction and the March 2026 national framework - Bias and fairness: real examples from TSA, healthcare, and criminal justice - Deepfakes and synthetic media: risks and protective practices for federal employees - Data privacy and PII awareness: what to share and what to protect - How the AI Decision Log connects to accountability, transparency, and FOIA readiness #### Module 4: Practical Skills & Your Action Plan - Prompt engineering: weak vs. strong prompts with federal examples - The RACE prompt framework: Role, Action, Context, Expectation - Generative AI in your federal workflow: where AI helps vs. where humans must decide - Hands-on lab: Use AI to analyze a federal operations dataset using DIG, RACE, and the Validation Checklist - Know your agency's AI landscape: Chief AI Officer, approved tools, governance structure - AI and data literacy by role: how today's skills apply to your specific job function ## Schedule - Jun 25, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Jul 27, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Aug 25, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Sep 17, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Oct 22, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online - Nov 19, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online - Dec 17, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online ## Instructors ### Bruce Gay — Instructor Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery. Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences. ### Steve Pesklo — Instructor Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance. Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years. Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). ### Brian Simms — Instructor Brian Simms is a seasoned educator and training leader with extensive experience developing and delivering innovative learning programs in project management and emerging technologies. Over the course of his career, he has designed adaptive learning models that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, ensuring professionals can access training in flexible and effective ways. His work has emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development, helping organizations and individuals understand how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges in leadership, project execution, and decision-making. In addition to his instructional expertise, Brian has guided curriculum development, led large training initiatives, and advanced the use of collaboration tools that improve learner engagement and retention. His depth of experience and forward-looking perspective make him uniquely equipped to prepare federal professionals to navigate both the complexities of project management and the transformative potential of AI. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $675