Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the top of the list of emerging technologies to look for in most sectors, from small- to medium-sized businesses and managed services to cybersecurity. It came as no surprise to us to find that Bloomberg Government predicts that federal agencies will make security a priority for federal IT spending in 2019, along with nine other technology areas. Of the Top 10, Bloomberg said that AI spending was up 74 percent from 2017 to 2018 and will continue to grow in 2019. Bloomberg further noted that federal use of blockchain will continue to increase this year, and cloud services – which has grown year over year since 2010 – are anticipated to continue to grow.
Bloomberg made is predictions based upon historical contract obligations, agency and administration strategies and priorities, current and upcoming opportunities, the fiscal 2019 budget, and legislation. EDGE360 reached out to Ed Somers, Sr. Director, Public Sector for SYNNEX, to find out how value-added resellers (VARs) can ensure they stay on top of all that is happening in federal and public sector IT.
As Somers points out, Westcon and SYNNEX have created a series of events including the Weston-Comstor Federal Summit and SYNNEX’ premier Public Sector event, Red, White &You, that showcase federal and SLED industry experts who are knowledgeable on trends and direction in which they are headed. These events also offer VARs the opportunity to network with their peers.
“The SYNNEX GovSolv Program offers resellers access to business intelligence tools that can help provide insight into this vertical market,” Somers said.
In the meantime, here is a high-level insight from Bloomberg Gov:
• Based on historical spending trends, along with patterns in upcoming strategies and opportunities, AI obligations are expected to rise as agencies continue investing in the technology. In addition, “a variety of AI opportunities are expected to be awarded in 2019, including at the Army and the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency.”
• Blockchain spending almost tripled in FY18, and, in fact, “agencies invested more in blockchain in fiscal 2018 than all previous years combined.” Of those, the Treasury Department spent the most on the technology. This will continue in 2019, with the Health and Human Services Department’s Accelerate pilot program and other opportunities coming to fruition.
