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Pentagon Names Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer

Margaret Palmieri tagged to lead new organization.

Margaret Palmieri has been named the Defense Department's deputy chief digital and artificial intelligence officer (CDAO). Credit: Naval Information Forces

The U.S. Defense Department has named Margaret Palmieri as its deputy chief digital and artificial intelligence officer (CDAO).

Palmieri previously served as special assistant to the vice chief of naval operations and as director of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Action Group. Palmieri also founded and directed the Navy Digital Warfare Office.

“Margie has a proven record of building and managing teams that solve hard technical and operational problems,” John Sherman, Defense Department chief information officer and acting CDAO, said in a press release. “Her deep knowledge and relationships within DoD will ensure the CDAO navigates and cuts through the bureaucracy to get things done.”

The CDAO held an inaugural town hall last week, connecting personnel across the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), Chief Data Office, Defense Digital Services and Office of Advancing Analytics.

The department also announced additional appointments to the CDAO team, including Lt. Gen. Mike Groen, USMC, as director of the JAIC and senior military advisor to the CDAO; Clark Cully as deputy CDAO, policy; Greg Little as deputy CDAO, enterprise capabilities; Katie Olson as deputy CDAO, digital services; and Dan Folliard as CDAO chief operating officer.