Federal 100: Taka Ariga

Name: Taka Ariga
Title: Chief Data Scientist and Innovation Lab Director
Organization: Government Accountability Office

Bringing data science to oversight. As GAO’s first chief data scientist, Ariga plays a key role in applying technological and analytical innovations to improve oversight of government programs and elevate the agency’s audit capabilities. In 2020, he capitalized on the launch of the Innovation Lab to push key transformational efforts, such as deploying a secure cloud-based computational environment to support advanced data science work and creating an oversight framework for artificial intelligence. He also helped GAO develop 20 advanced data science proofs of concept, including a real-time COVID-19 dashboard that helps GAO’s leaders and employees make data-centric safety decisions.

Click here for the full list