Communities in Action: Advancing Society Through AI-Ready Data—How the Federal Statistical System is Accelerating Innovation for a National Secure Data Service

The Federal Statistical System (FSS) and their partners are demonstrating how communities in action—government, industry, academia, and the public—advance society through secure, AI-enabled data innovation. This collaborative model supports priorities in the White House’s America’s AI Action Plan, the Evidence Act, adoption of DCAT-US 3.0 metadata standards, and development of a future National Secure Data Service (NSDS).

Federal agencies increasingly need AI-ready, standardized, and securely accessible data for evidence-based policymaking. The Evidence Act requires agencies to strengthen data governance and inventories. DCAT-US 3.0 enhances metadata quality and interoperability. The AI Action Plan calls for world-class datasets, rapid federal AI adoption, and a secure “front door” for restricted federal data access—core functions of the NSDS. NSDS-initiated projects provide innovative environments where these mandates can be translated into practice.  By aligning government needs with private-sector expertise, these projects advance the JSM theme—“Communities in Action: Advancing Society”—and helps build an evidence-driven, AI-enabled federal data ecosystem.

The panel will highlight how four FSS projects operationalize federal AI and data goals through collaboration and innovation. The panelists are vendors and federal technical leads partnering to foster innovation in the public sector through rapid research and development. These projects are generating quick wins using AI technology. The panel will discuss how the public/private partnerships fostered through the solicitation and performance of these projects provide public value.