Tech Transforms

Episode 100: Trusting AI and Warfighting Technologies

July 1st, 2025  |  44 mins 53 secs

afcea, ai, cybersecurity, data integrity, defenseinnovation, techtransforms

In our 100th episode, Lt. General Susan Lawrence, President & CEO of AFCEA International and former CIO of the U.S. Army, joins Tech Transforms to talk trusted AI, cyber readiness, and how the human element must remain central in defense innovation. From battlefield examples to the future of cross-sector collaboration, this conversation is a powerful look at what it really takes to secure tomorrow.

Prompting the Future: AI, Leadership, and the Military Mindset with Capt. M. Scott Austin, USCG

May 20th, 2025  |  41 mins 53 secs

agentic warfare, ai, prompt engineering

When Capt. Scott Austin hears the phrase "prompt engineering," he thinks about leadership, not syntax. On this episode of Tech Transforms, Carolyn and Scott unpack how military leaders can integrate AI in ways that actually work—starting with empathy, problem definition, and a little R2-D2 wisdom.

Episode 96: Tech Transforms + ATARC: AI, Oceans, and Innovation with NOAA’s Frank Indiviglio

May 6th, 2025  |  30 mins 1 sec

ai, artificial intelligence, atarc, climate technology, cybersecurity, data science, government innovation, high-performance computing, noaa, ocean robotics

In this special crossover episode with ATARC, I sit down with Frank Indiviglio, Chief Technology Officer at NOAA, to explore how cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing our understanding of the planet. From hurricane forecasting to coral reef monitoring, Frank unpacks how AI, data science, and high-performance computing transform vast raw data into real-world impact. We dive into everything from boosting data processing efficiency to balancing open data with cybersecurity—all while showing how cross-sector collaboration drives innovation at NOAA. Don’t miss this fascinating ATARC-powered conversation!

Zero Trust at the Edge: Securing Data, Devices, and Decisions

April 29th, 2025  |  45 mins 16 secs

ai, cybersecurity, data, iot, zero trust

Randy Clark, cybersecurity strategist and contributor to SIGNAL Magazine, joins Carolyn Ford to explain why the future of secure data lies at the edge. From smart cities to AI-driven infrastructure, Randy breaks down how zero trust data works — and why labeling, encrypting, and governing data from the moment it’s created can change everything. They talk edge AI, data sovereignty, and why trusting your thermostat might be harder than it looks. Plus: why the 1980s weren’t ready for this tech, and how protecting data—not just networks—could reshape public safety and defense.

5 AI Predictions for 2025 & How to Build Intelligent Agents with Dave Egts

March 31st, 2025  |  45 mins 56 secs

ai, chatbots, llm, salesforce

Field CTO at MuleSoft (a Salesforce company), Dave Egts returns to Tech Transforms with Carolyn Ford to unpack his “5 AI Predictions for 2025.” In this action-packed episode, Dave dives deep into the rise of intelligent AI agents—and what separates real value from hype. From large action models to personal assistants that actually get stuff done, Dave shares real-world examples (and a few Battlestar Galactica references) that reveal how agencies and enterprises can start using AI to reduce drudgery, improve outcomes, and scale with confidence.

Whether you're an IT leader or just AI-curious, this episode is your tactical guide to agentic AI, small language models, and what to expect next.

Open Source for Classified Environments

February 13th, 2025  |  53 mins 2 secs

ai, cybersecurity, open source, risk, security, software, software development, tech

In this episode of Tech Transforms, host Carolyn Ford dives into the world of secure software development with guests Scott Orton and Mike Mehlberg. They explore the critical challenges of implementing Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs), securing open-source software, and using Rust programming language for safer, memory-secure coding. The conversation also covers AI's growing role in code development, the evolving landscape of cross-domain solutions, and the race between cybersecurity advancements and ever-evolving threats.

From real-world implementation challenges to insights on automating security measures in classified environments, Scott and Mike break down the risks and opportunities in today's software ecosystem. Whether you're a developer, cybersecurity professional, or just curious about how technology is shaping secure systems, this episode is packed with expert insights and actionable takeaways.

Episode 86: Navigating AI in Sensitive Environments: What You Need to Know

November 22nd, 2024  |  43 mins 30 secs

ai, generative ai, innovation, sdlc

In this episode of Tech Transforms, Carolyn Ford speaks with Tracy Bannon, Software Architect and Researcher at MITRE, about the transformative role of generative AI in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Tracy shares insights on how AI can enhance workflows, automate testing, and even act as a collaborative team member, while addressing challenges like trust, security, and human factors. Tune in to explore the potential of AI to reshape software development and learn how to use these tools responsibly.

Sponsored by OWL Cyber Defense, leaders in secure data transfer solutions for critical networks.

New: Building a Stronger Team: How Data is Transforming Workforce Development in the Public Sector

October 29th, 2024  |  48 mins 28 secs

ai, cybersecurity, marketing, public sector, talent management, us army, workforce management

In this episode, host Carolyn Ford sits down with Kris Saling, Director of Talent Analytics and Data Strategy for the U.S. Army, to dive into her new book, Data-Driven Talent Management. Kris shares how data is changing the game when it comes to recruitment, retention, and employee engagement. We discuss practical ways leaders can use analytics to build stronger teams and keep top talent motivated. If you're looking for actionable insights on how data can transform the way we work, you won’t want to miss this conversation!