Guest Blogger:
Barry Leffew, Vice President, Government Platform Accelerator
In-Q-Tel (IQT)
My DBA Journey
As the saying goes, success is a journey, not a destination, but it’s important to celebrate and reflect on the milestones you have achieved along the way.
When I was five years old and asked the “universal” question of what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered that I wanted to be a doctor. At that time, I wanted to be a medical doctor, just like the family doctor that my parents took me to visit for vaccines, check-ups, and various childhood illnesses.
At the time, I never could have envisioned that becoming a doctor meant obtaining a Doctorate in Business Administration during my sixth decade on this planet.
Growing up in a small blue-collar town in Pennsylvania, I did not fully realize the level of commitment, hard work, and time it would take to obtain a doctorate degree. As I continued through my childhood and adolescence, my goals shifted, and my new focus turned to obtaining a college degree and finding a new path that took me beyond my small-town roots.
My first job after college led me to Washington, DC, as an entry-level software programmer for a government contractor. One of the benefits of working for this firm was that they reimbursed 100 percent of tuition for a job-related degree. I successfully enrolled at George Washington University and completed an MBA in about three years by spending classes, evenings, and weekends, while working full-time. My final class project was to develop an expert system to help people prepare a tax return. I am seriously dating myself, but this was in 1985, before the invention of tools such as TurboTax. I was enamored with the potential for expert systems/AI to help automate many tasks. At the time, I explored the possibility of continuing my studies to obtain a doctorate.
However, at about the same time, I changed jobs and went to work on the consulting team for a small software company called Oracle. I traveled about 80 percent of the time and discovered that working for a start-up, having a social life, and trying to get a doctorate was not a good mix. As a result, I put my goal of obtaining a doctorate on hold.
As the Latin phrase “Tempus Fugit” (Time Flies) goes, fast-forward 35-plus years, and I was married, raised three children, and held senior leadership roles at firms such as Oracle, NeXT, Verisign, SAP, and Adobe.
My decision to pursue a DBA was borne during the depths of my COVID isolation in early 2021. Shifting from a dynamic work environment full of customer meetings, daily in-person interaction with work colleagues, and lots of business travel to the brick wall of being isolated in my home office with nothing but Zoom meeting screens for interaction, I definitely longed to do something more.
After a random Google search for doctorate programs, I received many digital ads for various DBA programs nationwide. One that caught my eye and interest was the Drexel DBA program. Philadelphia was a manageable two-hour drive from our home in Maryland, and attending a university that was back to my roots in PA was particularly attractive.
The first two years of my DBA journey required me to travel to Philadelphia every six weeks for three days of classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. While it had been quite some time since I attended all-day courses, I found the Drexel DBA format incredibly engaging and interactive. The professors and industry speakers were first-rate. I also found my fellow students from cohort #5 exciting and a wonderful group of well-accomplished individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Another critical factor for me was the support and encouragement my current employer's leadership at In-Q-Tel (IQT) gave me to pursue a Doctorate. Unfortunately, from personal experience, not every firm supports staff pursuing an advanced degree while working full-time.
While the DBA journey was full of positive and enriching experiences, there were some challenges and downsides. The first challenge was the 3me and focus that pursuing a DBA program entails. For me, it meant dedicating the majority of weekends during my dissertation phase to focus and stay on track to completing my dissertation.
My dissertation topic leveraged my MBA research from almost 40 years ago, which was how AI might impact the preparation of taxes and other expert services. I constructed an experimental design that measured the differences in subjects' willingness to trust an AI-powered digital worker as compared to a human CPA for tax advice.
My dissertation focused on the intricate dynamics of trust and distrust in AI systems, shedding light on how AI technologies are poised to revolutionize the workforce and governmental functions. Here are some key takeaways from my research and reflections on the power of AI:
AI’s Role in Transforming Work
AI technologies, such as deep learning and natural language processing, are not just tools for automating repetitive tasks but catalysts for profound changes in job roles and industries. AI-driven digital workers can perform complex tasks, analyze vast datasets, and interact seamlessly with humans. This skill enables employees to concentrate on strategic, creative, and value-added activities, fostering innovation and productivity across sectors.
Enhancing Government Efficiency
In government, AI has the potential to enhance service delivery, optimize resource management, and improve decision-making processes. By analyzing large volumes of data, AI can help policymakers make informed decisions, detect fraudulent activities, and streamline administrative procedures. For instance, AI-driven systems can predict infrastructure needs,
manage public health responses, and offer personalized citizen services, thereby increasing transparency and efficiency.
The Importance of Trust and Anthropomorphism
Trust remains a crucial factor in the adoption of AI systems. My research demonstrated that AI systems perceived as more human-like (anthropomorphic) are more likely to be trusted by users. However, it is also essential to address distrust. While trust facilitates engagement, distrust can significantly influence users' emotional responses and willingness to interact with AI. Designing AI with human-like attributes and ensuring ethical and transparent operations are vital for building trust and mitigating distrust.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The future of work and government, empowered by AI, holds immense promise. However, it also presents challenges that need careful navigation. As AI continues to evolve, developing policies that ensure ethical use, protect privacy, and promote inclusivity is crucial. Continuous education and upskilling will be necessary for the workforce to adapt to the changing landscape. Collaboration between human experience and AI capabilities will be vital in achieving sustainable growth and societal benefits.
Personal Reflections
Embarking on the DBA journey during a global pandemic was a testament to resilience and adaptability. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of AI's transformative power. The experience has reinforced my belief in the importance of lifelong learning and the need to embrace technological advancements while being mindful of their implications.
Barry Leffew | In-Q-Tel (IQT)
Vice President, Government Platform Accelerator
