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NGA Rebuilds Workforce with Mandatory AI Training After DOGE Cuts
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is reshaping its personnel strategy after last year’s Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Secretary of Defense (DOGE) workforce reductions. According to the agency’s associate operations director, Navy Rear Admiral Michael Baker, every new hire must demonstrate proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI) and data‑management skills, and all existing employees are required to complete similar training. “We’re hiring now, and every single new person we hire has to prove some capability of AI and data management,” Baker said at the Defense One Tech Summit on Tuesday.
The NGA, a combat‑support agency that collects, analyzes, and distributes geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) to support U.S. national security, employed roughly 14,500 civilian, military, and contract workers as of the agency’s most recent public estimate. The DOGE cuts, which reduced the intelligence community’s workforce by thousands of positions last year, left the NGA with a smaller but still critical team. The agency is now focused on rebuilding that workforce while integrating AI tools into its core functions.
Baker explained that AI is being explored for a range of internal tasks, including human‑resources processes that could reduce the administrative burden on analysts. “We’re looking at using AI to handle routine HR tasks so that the burden is off the operator,” he said. The agency is also testing AI agents that can assist in risk calculations and high‑level strategic planning. “In the future, that agent could help train me,” Baker added. He described the agent’s role as a collaborative partner that helps him think through problems and predict future scenarios, moving beyond historical analysis.
While the agency pushes forward with AI adoption, some officials have cautioned against overreliance. A deputy director of human development at NGA expressed concerns that employees might become too dependent on AI, potentially leading to skill atrophy. The agency’s leadership acknowledges the need to balance rapid innovation with security and operational stability. “It’s a balancing act,” Baker said. “We want to innovate quickly but also avoid chaos.”
The NGA’s AI training initiative is part of a broader effort to standardize responsible AI use across the intelligence community. The agency’s training program includes modules on data labeling, model governance, and ethical considerations. The training is mandatory for all personnel, regardless of rank or function, and is designed to ensure that the workforce can operate effectively in an AI‑augmented environment.
The NGA’s headquarters, known as NGA Campus East, is located at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and includes a 2.3‑million‑square‑foot facility that houses analysts, engineers, and support staff. The agency’s mission includes providing geospatial intelligence to aid military operations, disaster response, and homeland security. AI integration is expected to enhance the speed and accuracy of satellite imagery analysis, terrain modeling, and threat assessment.
The DOGE cuts, announced in 2025, reduced the intelligence community’s workforce by an estimated 5,000 positions, prompting agencies like the NGA to streamline operations and invest in automation.
The AI training program began in early 2026 and is scheduled to reach all 14,500 employees by the end of the year. The program includes online modules, hands‑on workshops, and certification exams.
The agency’s shift to AI‑driven workflows could improve decision‑making speed for commanders and analysts, but it also raises concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the need for human oversight.
Officials say the training will also include guidance on safeguarding classified information and ensuring compliance with DoD AI policy.
Looking ahead, the NGA plans to expand its AI capabilities through partnerships with private companies and academic institutions. The agency’s director, Lieutenant General Michele Bredenkamp, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce that can interpret and validate AI outputs. As the NGA continues to rebuild its staff, the agency’s focus on AI proficiency reflects a broader trend within the intelligence community to modernize operations while safeguarding national security interests.
The NGA, a combat‑support agency that collects, analyzes, and distributes geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) to support U.S. national security, employed roughly 14,500 civilian, military, and contract workers as of the agency’s most recent public estimate. The DOGE cuts, which reduced the intelligence community’s workforce by thousands of positions last year, left the NGA with a smaller but still critical team. The agency is now focused on rebuilding that workforce while integrating AI tools into its core functions.
Baker explained that AI is being explored for a range of internal tasks, including human‑resources processes that could reduce the administrative burden on analysts. “We’re looking at using AI to handle routine HR tasks so that the burden is off the operator,” he said. The agency is also testing AI agents that can assist in risk calculations and high‑level strategic planning. “In the future, that agent could help train me,” Baker added. He described the agent’s role as a collaborative partner that helps him think through problems and predict future scenarios, moving beyond historical analysis.
While the agency pushes forward with AI adoption, some officials have cautioned against overreliance. A deputy director of human development at NGA expressed concerns that employees might become too dependent on AI, potentially leading to skill atrophy. The agency’s leadership acknowledges the need to balance rapid innovation with security and operational stability. “It’s a balancing act,” Baker said. “We want to innovate quickly but also avoid chaos.”
The NGA’s AI training initiative is part of a broader effort to standardize responsible AI use across the intelligence community. The agency’s training program includes modules on data labeling, model governance, and ethical considerations. The training is mandatory for all personnel, regardless of rank or function, and is designed to ensure that the workforce can operate effectively in an AI‑augmented environment.
The NGA’s headquarters, known as NGA Campus East, is located at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and includes a 2.3‑million‑square‑foot facility that houses analysts, engineers, and support staff. The agency’s mission includes providing geospatial intelligence to aid military operations, disaster response, and homeland security. AI integration is expected to enhance the speed and accuracy of satellite imagery analysis, terrain modeling, and threat assessment.
The DOGE cuts, announced in 2025, reduced the intelligence community’s workforce by an estimated 5,000 positions, prompting agencies like the NGA to streamline operations and invest in automation.
The AI training program began in early 2026 and is scheduled to reach all 14,500 employees by the end of the year. The program includes online modules, hands‑on workshops, and certification exams.
The agency’s shift to AI‑driven workflows could improve decision‑making speed for commanders and analysts, but it also raises concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the need for human oversight.
Officials say the training will also include guidance on safeguarding classified information and ensuring compliance with DoD AI policy.
Looking ahead, the NGA plans to expand its AI capabilities through partnerships with private companies and academic institutions. The agency’s director, Lieutenant General Michele Bredenkamp, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce that can interpret and validate AI outputs. As the NGA continues to rebuild its staff, the agency’s focus on AI proficiency reflects a broader trend within the intelligence community to modernize operations while safeguarding national security interests.
