Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode, we explore how the Coast Guard turned AI from promise to practice by embedding governance in architecture, treating data as a product, and keeping humans accountable at critical decisions. Real use cases in HR and audits show faster, fairer outcomes with measurable gains.

Featuring:
- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard
- Carin Quiroga, Chief Data Officer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Courtney Whelan-Stillmun, Principal Architect, Google Public Sector (moderator)



This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Follow HSDF THE PODCAST and never miss latest insider talk on government technology, innovation, and security. Visit the HSDF YouTube channel to view hours of insightful policy discussion. For more information about the Homeland Security & Defense Forum (HSDF), visit hsdf.org.

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode we take you inside the shift from siloed spreadsheets to governed data products, and show how that foundation lets AI cut hours from planning and reporting without replacing human judgment. Along the way, we break down the hidden process gaps that look like “bad data,” the cultural resistance that slows sharing, and the simple moves—like quality trend monitoring and clear ownership—that unlock momentum.

Featuring:

- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard

- Carin Quiroga, Chief Data Officer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement

- Courtney Whelan-Stillmun, Principal Architect, Google Public Sector (moderator)

This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Follow HSDF THE PODCAST and never miss latest insider talk on government technology, innovation, and security. Visit the HSDF YouTube channel to view hours of insightful policy discussion. For more information about the Homeland Security & Defense Forum (HSDF), visit hsdf.org.

Welcome to “HSDF THE PODCAST,” a collection of policy discussions on government technology and homeland security brought to you by the Homeland Security and Defense Forum

In this episode, we lay out a practical path to trusted AI in government: build a mission fabric that captures operational context, invest in shared data architecture, and measure decision quality through iterative delivery. We also tackle brittle models, multimodal sensing, and smarter procurement that values outcomes over promises.

Featuring:
- CDR Jonathan White, Cloud and Data Branch Chief, U.S. Coast Guard
- Carin Quiroga, Chief Data Officer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Courtney Whelan-Stillmun, Principal Architect, Google Public Sector (moderator)

This discussion took place January 22nd, 2026, at HSDF’s Technology Innovation in Government Symposium

Follow HSDF THE PODCAST and never miss latest insider talk on government technology, innovation, and security. Visit the HSDF YouTube channel to view hours of insightful policy discussion. For more information about the Homeland Security & Defense Forum (HSDF), visit hsdf.org.