Case Study
Standing Up the DAF AI Directorate
Staffing five divisions from scratch to govern Responsible AI across the Department of the Air Force — from contract award to full operational capability in under 60 days.
Challenge
Zero staff. Zero processes. Urgent mandate.
In May 2021, Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks issued a memo outlining six foundational tenets for Responsible AI — setting off an urgent mandate for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to establish a new AI Directorate (SAF/CNDI) responsible for implementing them enterprise-wide.
SAF/CNDI was a brand-new entity. There was no existing staff, no processes, and no infrastructure. Five distinct AI divisions had to be stood up simultaneously — spanning AI Tech and Data Infrastructure, AI Policy Integration, AI Acquisitions Strategy, AI Science and Technology Investment, and AI Workforce Development — while also integrating with DAF leadership, other MilDeps, industry, and academia from day one.
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Standing start, urgent mandate
A new directorate with no staff, processes, or tools — yet required to implement six Responsible AI tenets across the enterprise on an accelerated timeline.
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Broad, simultaneous scope
Five divisions with fundamentally different missions — technical infrastructure, policy, acquisition, science & technology, and workforce — all had to be operational at the same time.
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High-visibility operation
The team had to operate as a seamless extension of Department of Air Force leadership while managing active touchpoints across Department of Defense, industry, and academia with almost no ramp-up time.
Solution
An embedded, cross-functional team across every division.
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Full directorate stand-up
Strategi assembled 20-person team — spanning AI/ML Engineers, Data Architects, Solution Architects, Policy Analysts, Business Analysts, and Workforce Development experts — gave SAF/CNDI full coverage without gaps, operating as a seamless Government-Contractor team.
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AI delivery & recommendations
Produced AI recommendations, curated data sets, and policy products spanning RAI governance, S&T investment inventory, acquisition strategy, and DAF-wide workforce development programs.
Created the very first inventory of DAF AI investments.
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Policy & governance products
Drafted RAI foundational tenet campaign plans, AI stakeholder communications, monthly leadership newsletters, weekly activity reports, and the Data and AI Professional Development Policy.
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Workforce & training infrastructure
Developed workforce assessment plans, training toolkits, and education programs in coordination with Air Force Institute of Technology, Air University, Air Education and Training Command, MIT AI Accelerator, and the National Defense University.
Inside the divisions
How Strategi’s team operated across select SAF/CNDI mission areas.
AI Tech & Data Infrastructure
Powering the enterprise AI environment
Led the creation of an accessible AI environment through data preparation, vetting commercial services, evaluating the tech stack available across the enterprise, and making recommendations to the DAF leadership.
Capabilities Delivered
- AI readiness assessment
- Tech stack evaluation
- Proof of concept
Data & AI Policy Integration
Connecting strategy to execution
Developed policies and procedures enabling communication and interoperability across DAF AI stakeholders.
Drafted the RAI Foundational Tenets Campaign Plan and served as SAF/CNDI’s primary point of contact for OSD CDAO’s 2022 AI and Data Analytics Adoption Strategy.
Policy Products
- AI Stakeholder Communications Plan
- Data & AI Tools Handbook
- RAI Campaign Plan
AI Acquisition Strategy and S&T Investment
Aligning budget, programs, and inventory
Designed and built the very first DAF AI Inventory to meet requirements set by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2021. Prepared congressional testimony inputs and executive-level budget briefings.
Budget Impact
- Congressional testimony
- Executive briefings
- Budget submission
Data & AI Workforce Development
Building AI acumen across the total force
Developed workforce assessment plans, training curricula, and policy guidance to establish AI as a recognized career field in the Department of the Air Force.
Education Partners Engaged
- Air Force Academy
- Air University
- Air Education and Training Command
- Air Force Institute of Technology
- MIT
Client perspective
Strategi did a superb job navigating politically sensitive subject matter and conducted themselves in both a professional and approachable manner.
Federal Program Stakeholder
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