David K. Gaston Named as NLRB’s First Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer
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Today, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s recent memorandum regarding compliance with regulatory developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), the National Labor Relations Board announced the appointment of David K. Gaston as the Agency’s first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO).
In this new role, Mr. Gaston will ensure that the NLRB’s work complies with federal directives instructing agencies to advance AI governance and innovation while managing risks from the use of AI in the federal government.
Mr. Gaston will take on these duties in addition to his current role, where he serves as an Assistant General Counsel and the Agency’s Branch Chief of E-Litigation, leading NLRB strategy on matters involving information policy and developing tools, capabilities, and processes within the Agency to effectively request, collect, review, and present electronically stored information in legal proceedings. Before joining the NLRB, Gaston served at the U.S. Department of Justice as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, at the United States Department of Agriculture as an Attorney Advisor, and previously worked in the private sector.
“We are very pleased that David will be serving as our new CAIO,” said General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. “David has ably led the development and execution of information policy and litigation strategy for seven years at this Agency and for nearly 15 years in the federal government. His expertise will allow the NLRB to move forward strategically in the area of AI.”
“David is a nationally recognized expert in information governance, technology policy, and digital evidence,” said Chairman Lauren McFerran. “We are confident David’s deep experience will tremendously benefit our work, and we look forward to his leadership in this new role.”
Mr. Gaston received a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and two Bachelor of Arts degrees, both magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia.
Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year.