# AI Ethics for Government Employees

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/ai-ethics-for-federal-employees>

## Overview

Artificial Intelligence is transforming government service delivery, but responsible adoption begins with ethical awareness. This four-hour, interactive training equips government employees with the essential knowledge and tools to navigate AI ethics, manage risk, and support trustworthy technology use in their agencies. 

Through real-world government examples and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to identify ethical challenges and apply practical solutions. The course emphasizes actionable strategies that government teams can implement immediately to build public trust and ensure compliance with evolving policies.

## What you'll learn

- Identify core ethical principles for AI in government government settings
- Assess major risks and challenges related to AI ethics
- Apply practical tools and frameworks to identify and mitigate ethical issues in AI projects
- Navigate the government policy landscape for trustworthy AI adoption

## Curriculum

#### What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

- Definition and scope of AI

#### Why Ethics Matters in AI

- Impact of ethical considerations on trust and adoption

#### The Unique Role of Government Employees

- Responsibilities in ensuring trustworthy AI in government contexts

#### Core Principles of AI Ethics

- Fairness
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Privacy
- Safety
- Human Oversight

#### Government Policy Context

- OMB & NIST guidance on AI (e.g., NIST AI Risk Management Framework)
- EO 13960: Promoting the Use of Trustworthy AI in the Government
- FAI/OMB/GAO roles and requirements

#### Ethical Risks and Challenges

- Examples of risks such as bias, lack of transparency, and unintended consequences

#### Practical Tools for Ethical AI

- Risk assessment checklists
- Human-in-the-loop practices
- Data governance and documentation
- Procurement and vendor questions

#### Application to Government Work

- Integrating AI ethics principles into day-to-day responsibilities

#### How to Build an AI Ethics “Action Plan”

- Steps to create an actionable framework for ethical AI in government agencies

## Schedule
- Jun 25, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Jul 24, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Aug 28, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online
- Sep 29, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Oct 20, 2026 1:00pm–5:00pm — Live Online
- Nov 10, 2026 8:00am–12:00pm — Live Online
- Dec 1, 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
