SoKat is accelerating its mission to empower federal agencies through meaningful, measurable AI transformation. The company recently announced their strategy to support Federal Agencies with AI-Driven Coding to Boost Productivity through its new partnership with Windsurf, secured a prime spot on the Department of Defense CDAO’s AI Talent 2.0 BOA to provide the future of DoD AI Workforce and fast-track their AI capabilities; was named among the IRS, and Veterans Affairs Focused Women-owned Small Businesses to Know and the IRS 8(a) focused businesses to know.
With the January 2025 Executive Order placing AI at the center of national competitiveness and federal mission delivery, OS AI sat down with Dr. Jim Liew, Founder and President of SoKat, to discuss the company’s vision, its strategy for aligning with new federal priorities, and why return on investment (ROI) – not hype – will become the defining metric of success in government AI deployment.
At the Forefront of AI
As an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Dr. Liew brings unmatched depth of expertise across academic, private sector, and federal domains. His journey—from researching AI’s impact on macroeconomic growth, to developing quantitative trading models on Wall Street, to managing investment capital at the World Bank, to now leading SoKat’s vision of bringing world-class AI for public service impact – is a masterclass in how cross-disciplinary rigor can drive real-world innovation.
“AI is no longer just a research topic or a buzzword. It’s infrastructure. And our job at SoKat is to help federal agencies harness it – knowledgably, ethically, and with a laser focus on measurable outcomes,” says Liew.
Responding to the new Executive Order on AI
When the Executive Order on AI was signed in January, SoKat immediately mobilized to support their federal clients. One of its first moves was to identify the most forward-thinking AI tools available and bring them to the government at scale. To effect this, the SoKat team jumped on a plane to fly out to the mecca of AI, Silicon Valley, and sourced the most successful company in the AI-powered coding software space – Windsurf.
“Windsurf is the most promising AI-native development platform because their technology allows anyone to build AI tools simply by describing what they want to accomplish in natural language,” Liew explains.
He’s already seeing the impact.
“To test out the real-world impact of Windsurf, it’s part of the curriculum for my AI Essentials for Business class this spring semester, which has over 110 students. All of them, with little to no coding background, successfully built AI tools merely by speaking them into existence. Windsurf is democratizing AI in a way I’ve never seen before, and at scale.”
Technology with Humans at the Center
For federal leaders, the implications are profound. Windsurf’s platform represents a new model for software development—faster, smarter, and built for the future of government.
“This is the key to unlocking digital modernization,” Liew notes. “It’s not just about building faster. It’s about equipping federal workers with tools that make them more capable, more creative, and more mission-focused.”
That philosophy is central to how SoKat approaches AI.
“For the U.S. to lead in AI, the technology must empower the end user—not just because it’s ethically sound, but because the user is closest to the problem. And that proximity to the problem is where real innovation begins and impactful solutions are created.”
AI with Accountability: Driving ROI, Trust, and Transformation Across Government
Agencies should source world-class AI, but that only takes them halfway to success, because the ultimate measure of AI is its outcome.
“AI is not just about tools or speed—it’s about results,” Liew says. “We approach this analysis with a simple principle: measure ROI, show the value, and empower the user. That’s how we ensure AI investments actually work in government.”
So how exactly does SoKat measure AI ROI? Jim Liew and Sean McIntyre (Deputy CIO of OCC) conducted an ROI analysis on the government’s public AI use case repository—quantifying cost and benefit signals to prioritize which investments should move forward now, and which can wait (or not at all). It’s an approach rooted in financial discipline, backed by technical depth, and implemented with radical transparency.
“We’ve turned resource allocation into a finance problem: invest where ROI is highest. Every recommendation is traceable, auditable, and aligned with the administration’s directives,” Liew explains.
Optimizing for Operational Excellence
Another major shift SoKat is championing is leveraging AI to build operational excellence in federal agencies, that will result in clear missions, measurable outputs, and continual improvement.
“If we can analyze federal coding patterns, we can identify ways to write more elegant code. If we can analyze contract language, we can identify best-in-class practices across agencies. There’s always a better way, but only if we’re willing to look.”
According to Liew, success requires more than talent- it requires cultural readiness.
“I’ve observed throughout my career, whether it’s Wall Street, academia or government – people are fundamentally risk-averse. But when visionary leadership makes space for innovation, and teams are equipped with the right skills and tools, that’s when the best version of government shows up—one where service, mentorship, and transformation thrive.”
From Pilots to Platforms
Liew is adamant that AI is no longer emerging—it’s infrastructure. “It’s already woven into our lives, and it’s reshaping how government should operate. What we’re seeing now is not a question of if, but how fast agencies can adapt.”
One of the most important enablers of that adaptation? The willingness to pivot.
“This field evolves by the week, if not by the day. We start down one path, then new research opens up a divergent path. That doesn’t mean we failed of course, it just means we found a better option. Agencies that can adapt at this speed will lead at the forefront of AI, to the benefit of the public they serve.”
AI that Empowers, Not Replaces
At the heart of SoKat’s philosophy is a clear ethos: AI should augment human judgment—not bypass it.
“Our philosophy has always been that AI is like an instrument in this human orchestra. As new instruments are invented, we don’t replace the orchestra—we expand the symphony. The goal isn’t automation for its own sake, it’s creating harmony between capability and purpose.”
In practice, that means designing systems with clear points for human oversight, policy flexibility, and explainability. “Humans should always be able to hold AI accountable—flagging what’s broken, applying judgment, ensuring outcomes stay aligned with agency missions and democratic values.”
A Call for Sharing and Boldness in Federal AI
Liew believes government has an untapped superpower: Quiet excellence.
“There are federal teams doing incredible things with AI, but they’re not always telling their story. And they should. Success needs to be spotlighted—not just for recognition, but so others can replicate and build on it.”
But Liew also cautions against over-cautiousness.
“AI innovation requires a pioneering mindset. You have to be a bit of a wildcatter, willing to explore uncharted territory, pivot quickly when better solutions emerge, and embrace the discomfort that comes with progress. Boldness must be balanced by clear guardrails – but it’s that balance that ensures the U.S. stays at the forefront of AI leadership.”
The Road Ahead
“When we combine clear ROI metrics, cutting-edge tools, and teams unified around solving the most pressing mission problems, government becomes not just more efficient—but more impactful,” Liew concludes. “That’s the future SoKat is helping to build: one where AI amplifies the best of public service.”
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A timely and insightful read Jim. Empowering federal agencies to lead responsibly in AI requires not just modernization, but a culture of ethical measurement and workforce readiness. The future of public trust in AI starts with how we build it today. Congratulations!