GDIT’s Amy Gilliland Champions AI to Empower Workforce

The president of General Dynamics Information Technology, Amy Gilliland, expressed her confidence in the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance employee capabilities rather than replace them. Speaking during a media roundtable in Washington, Gilliland emphasized that GDIT is not only leveraging AI as a commercial product for government clients but also as a transformative tool for its workforce.

GDIT is already utilizing AI to streamline internal operations, particularly in helping employees navigate job opportunities within the company. Gilliland highlighted that AI tools are being developed to assist in coding and processing proposals. This approach aims to alleviate the burden of routine tasks, allowing employees to engage in more intellectually stimulating work.

In response to a recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which indicated that 95 percent of surveyed companies reported no return on their investments in generative AI, Gilliland argued that it is premature to evaluate AI’s impact using traditional metrics like return on investment. “It’s early days,” she stated. “The focus now is on education and understanding what AI can do for us.”

Gilliland explained that GDIT is concentrating its investments on adapting Large Language Models (LLMs) to its specific context and training employees on effectively utilizing these tools. As evidence of this commitment, she noted a significant increase in AI training uptake, with the number of courses taken projected to be ten times higher in 2025 compared to last year.

The enthusiasm among employees for using AI to handle repetitive coding tasks is palpable, according to Gilliland. She humorously remarked that employees prefer focusing on rewarding tasks rather than mundane responsibilities, saying, “They don’t want to eat the broccoli, they just want to have dessert.”

### New AI Initiatives and Facilities

GDIT has also introduced an AI tool aimed at promoting “internal mobility,” which matches employees with new roles and short-term assignments within the organization. This innovative approach facilitates both permanent position changes and temporary assignments lasting from six days to six weeks.

The media roundtable coincided with the unveiling of GDIT’s new “Mission Emerge Center” located in Springfield, Virginia, just minutes away from a major campus of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). This new facility spans 5,000 square feet and serves as a demonstration space for GDIT to showcase AI technologies and other products to potential government clients.

During the event, reporters were presented with demonstrations of AI capabilities, including video surveillance analysis and 3D mapping software. The center operates unclassified “sandboxes,” allowing government customers to experiment with the technology and provide feedback before committing to lengthy vetting processes for secure networks.

Gilliland noted that this facility could significantly expedite the military’s technology upgrades, allowing for faster implementation of new solutions. “Ukraine is teaching us something about this right now,” she remarked, referencing the innovative use of technology by Ukrainian forces.

According to Gilliland, the pace of engagement with military and intelligence clients is changing. Instead of the traditional lengthy timelines, there is now a demand for more rapid iterations. “It’s like, ‘I’d like to have you back here in six weeks,’” she explained, highlighting a shift toward agile development practices.

Gilliland, who has a background as a Navy officer and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, reflected on the evolution of military technology deployment. “In the past, it would take months or years to upgrade software on a ship. Now, we want to achieve that while we are underway,” she concluded, underscoring her commitment to keeping pace with technological advances in defense.

Through these initiatives, GDIT aims not only to enhance its internal operations but also to drive innovation within the defense sector, ultimately ensuring that technology meets the evolving needs of its clients and workforce.