U.S. Department of Defense Stands Up Chief Digital and AI Office — February 1, 2022
The Department of Defense consolidated the Joint AI Center, Defense Digital Service, and Chief Data Officer into a unified Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to accelerate trustworthy AI adoption across the Pentagon.
Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks announced leadership and mission priorities for the CDAO, which is responsible for scaling data, analytics, and AI capabilities across defense components. The office centralises algorithmic governance, mission data stewardship, and responsible AI implementation guidance.
- Unified governance. Merging disparate digital units under the CDAO establishes a single authority for AI acquisition policy, lifecycle oversight, and mission integration.
- Responsible AI focus. The office oversees implementation of the DoD Responsible AI Strategy, including test, evaluation, verification, and validation (TEVV) processes.
- Operational delivery. CDAO teams support combatant commands with decision-support tools, data integration, and digital talent pipelines.
Defense suppliers should align deliverables with CDAO data and model governance requirements to remain eligible for AI-enabled programs.