New CDAO appointed, to begin duties in April

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced today that Radha Plumb will take up the role of chief digital and artificial intelligence officer, assuming duties on April 8.

Plumb, currently the defense deputy under secretary for acquisition and sustainment, has previously worked on Defense Department acquisition projects, like strengthening a national security industrial base and bolstering supply chains.

“There is no doubt that Dr. Plumb's technical expertise and strategic acumen will enhance the CDAO's innovative efforts, and help accelerate the DOD's adoption of data, analytics, and AI to generate decision advantage from the boardroom to the battlefield,” Austin said in a statement about the appointment.

Craig Martell, the current chief digital and AI officer, will be stepping down from the position. Martell was the inaugural CDAO, holding the position since April 2022 when CDAO first appointed someone to lead their mission in modernizing DOD to innovative changes amid an evolving technology environment.

“Craig and the entire CDAO team had a monumental task of bringing together the diverse talents and cultures of four organizations to advance data, AI and analytics for our national security, and deliver tangible results in a short time,” Austin wrote. “Dr. Martell and the CDAO team have delivered on those goals and his work will have a lasting impact on how the Department approaches every data and AI driven task.”

Austin did not provide a reason for Martell’s leaving.