TL;DR: Executive Order 14179 and OMB Memo M-25-21 urge federal agencies to accelerate responsible AI adoption by focusing on innovation, governance, and public trust. To do that well, agencies must secure their data, ensure transparency, and implement strong oversight — without slowing down mission delivery.
The bottom line? You don’t need more tools; you need more confidence in how you manage and protect your data.
Setting the Stage for Responsible AI Adoption
If you’re leading a federal agency right now, congratulations: you’ve officially been tasked with reshaping the future.
Thanks to Executive Order 14179 and OMB Memo M-25-21, federal agencies are now on the clock to deploy AI — not eventually, not experimentally, but now, and responsibly. The memo outlines three big priorities: innovation, governance, and public trust.
Simple in theory. Complex in reality.
Because while everyone’s excited about the possibilities of AI, the public sector can’t afford to “move fast and break things.” Instead, agencies have to move fast and secure everything, and be transparent, and document every step.
No pressure, right?
Here’s how leaders can make sense of the memo, and more importantly, make it actionable.
1. Innovation That Doesn’t Compromise Control
There’s no denying it: AI is here to stay. The EO and OMB memo make it clear — this is no longer about research and development or isolated pilot programs. It’s about integrating AI into mission delivery and improving outcomes across the board.
But the catch? You can’t do it at the expense of control. That means you need modern infrastructure, clean and secure data, and platforms that allow for rapid iteration without opening the floodgates to risk.
AI should empower your teams to do more, not spend hours digging through compliance binders or rebuilding systems from scratch. If your current data environment feels like it was designed during the fax machine era... well, now’s a great time to fix that.
2. Governance That Goes Beyond Paper Policies
You’ve probably seen this part of the memo: agencies must appoint Chief AI Officers and set up AI governance boards to oversee AI deployments. It sounds straightforward...until you’re the one responsible for making it happen.
This isn't about more layers of bureaucracy. It’s about creating a structure where innovation doesn’t outpace accountability. Governance, in this case, is your agency’s ability to confidently say:
- We know what data is being used — and by whom
- We can explain how our AI models make decisions
- We’ve got clear audit trails, not mysteries
That’s not just good practice; it’s future-proofing. Because sooner or later, someone’s going to ask the hard questions. Good governance ensures you’re ready with answers.
3. Public Trust Starts with Data Security
What’s at the center of the public trust equation? Data security.
Whether it’s sensitive internal files, citizen information, or agency-wide collaboration data, federal organizations must prove they can secure what matters most. In fact, the OMB Memo explicitly ties public trust to your ability to manage risk, protect privacy, and ensure transparency around data use.
This isn’t just about defending against hackers. It’s about building confidence in the integrity of your digital ecosystem. Because when the public asks, “Can we trust the government with AI?” they’re really asking, “Can you protect our data?”
If you’re unsure where your agency stands on that front, we’ve put together a helpful guide titled, How to Strengthen Your Data Security Posture in the Public Sector with NIST CSF 2.0. It’s a practical resource for aligning your security posture with the latest NIST Cybersecurity Framework updates, especially as you prepare for more AI in your environment.
The Bottom Line: You Don’t Need a New Mission — You Need More Confidence
This memo doesn’t ask you to reinvent the wheel. It asks you to be bold, be smart, and lead with integrity. That means:
- Innovating faster, but not recklessly
- Governing more tightly, without slowing down
- And earning trust by securing the foundation
At AvePoint, we believe you can do all three. That’s why we built the Confidence Platform — to help agencies modernize collaboration, manage data responsibly, and secure operations from the inside out.
It’s not about adding more tools. It’s about having the clarity, control, and confidence to lead the way forward. Because in the age of AI, confidence isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s your greatest asset.