TLDR: MeriTalk recently honored 30 leading artificial intelligence practitioners, developers, and visionaries at its Tech Tonic event in Washington, D.C. These 2025 AI Honors Award winners were recognized for their exceptional contributions in leveraging AI to advance government missions and improve citizen services, marking a significant ‘revolution’ in government IT.
Washington, D.C. – On July 18, 2025, MeriTalk hosted its annual Tech Tonic event, a gathering that celebrated the 2025 class of AI Honors Award Winners. The ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., brought together top artificial intelligence practitioners, developers, and visionaries from both government and the private sector to acknowledge their pivotal roles in advancing AI within public service.
Thirty individuals were recognized with the prestigious 2025 AI Honors Award, each nominated by their peers for their outstanding work in applying AI technology to critical government missions. The event underscored the transformative impact of AI on public sector operations.
Caroline Boyd, Principal, Government Programs at MeriTalk, highlighted the current state of AI, stating, “While we’ve all said in recent years that AI has been evolving, I think now we are past evolution. For so many of you here tonight who are doing the hard work on AI, it’s really about a revolution in how the government is serving citizens, and we thank you for all of those efforts.” This sentiment emphasizes the shift from incremental progress to a fundamental change driven by AI.
Award recipients expressed their gratitude and commitment to further innovation. Jonathan Alboum, Federal Chief Technology Officer at ServiceNow, shared his appreciation: “I feel very honored to receive this award. We all work very hard, and any time that your work gets some recognition and there’s a moment of pause to reflect, it’s a great feeling.” He further praised his team, noting their dedication to providing real value to federal agencies.
Chris “CT” Thomas, Technical Director, Global Defense, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Systems at Dell Technologies, also reflected on the honor, stating, “It’s a very humbling experience to be recognized with the AI Honors Award.” He acknowledged the collaborative effort behind his achievements, crediting his teammates and partners for contributing to mission goals and objectives. Thomas expressed his eagerness to continue working with the government to ‘move the needle’ and provide value from a mission perspective.
John Dvorak, Chief Technology Officer, Public Sector, Red Hat, commented on the broader significance of the award, saying, “I’m honored to get the award. I think it’s recognizing the shift to AI as a principal part of all architecture today.”
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These honorees are at the forefront of integrating AI across various government functions, from enhancing network security and improving mission success to streamlining citizen service delivery. The event served as a testament to the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of government IT service.
