Pioneering Technology: How Grace Leads Artificial Intelligence with Curiosity
In the rapidly evolving field of AI, Grace has turned her passion and curiosity into a career that moves at lightning speed.
Moving with Speed in a Dynamic Field
Today, Grace is an AI Systems Engineering Manager at Lockheed Martin. Her job is to lead the AI Factory Support, Engagement and Advocacy (SEA) Team. Our AI Factory is a secure Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) and AI Agent platform where teams rapidly build, test, and deploy trusted AI solutions — and Grace’s SEA Team supports more than 80,000 users across the company.
When no two days are the same — and because AI is evolving so rapidly — it can feel like the landscape is constantly changing. But the SEA Team has learned how to lean in through curiosity and experimentation.
The SEA team uses their own user support processes and workflows as a playground for experimenting and testing new AI technologies. This helps a small team support thousands of users and gain sharable expertise at the same time. By being their own first-adopters, they are able to stay in-tune with a continuously evolving field.
Getting AI Right When the Stakes are High
In an emerging field like AI that changes every day, risk is inevitable. And Grace says, “We have to manage risk incrementally.” Thousands of internal processes and applications can be accelerated by AI — helping to reduce friction across the business. The SEA Team empowers users with speed, confidence, and understanding – enabling deeper integration enterprise wide.
But what does “right” look like? For Grace and her team, when the stakes are high, getting AI development and deployment right means making measurable improvements in how quickly a product is delivered. It also means delivering new technology to our customers that can help them succeed in their missions when it matters most.
What’s Next in AI
AI is rapidly becoming integrated into nearly every facet of our lives. Looking ahead, Grace is most excited to see how AI transforms the way people work, communicate, and collaborate — if we all embrace curiosity. “I think it’ll reduce friction and expand each individual’s skillset,” says Grace. “The art of the possible is so broad.”
One of the transformations Grace has noticed so far is the elimination of some distracting tasks, like taking notes during meetings. “These administrative tasks are important. But they come at the cost of team members being able to be present during conversations,” says Grace. “AI can be a great equalizer that gives humans back the attention and energy they need to focus on higher impact work.”
Where the Best are Built
Grace’s journey reflects what it means to build the best at Lockheed Martin. Because she was encouraged to follow her interests, Grace excelled in her career in a team that she says feels like home. Today, she leads with curiosity and empowers others to follow their passions, too.
