Paula Osborn is the Deputy Chief Data and AI Officer at the U.S. Department of State, where she leads enterprise efforts to scale AI adoption, strengthen data governance, and modernize global diplomacy through emerging technologies. She oversees cross-functional teams responsible for GenAI deployment, data platform development, AI governance, and international data and AI partnerships across 22 bureaus and 200+ overseas posts.
Previously, Paula served as the Chief Data and AI Officer of the U.S.’ United Nations work, and as a senior data scientist with the Center for Analytics and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Her work has included extended deployments to U.S. Embassies in Moscow, Kyiv, Kabul, and Mexico City, and she has served as an elections monitor in Siberia for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Paula was named to CDO Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Data Leaders list in 2024 and recognized as one of its Global Data Power Women in 2025.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CIO Magazine, Paula shared insights into her career journey, passion for leveraging AI to drive meaningful impact in diplomacy, and her approach to staying current with the latest developments in AI and technology. She discussed her philosophy on leadership and success, advice for young professionals looking to enter the field of AI and diplomacy, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Paula. What inspired you to pursue a career in AI and diplomacy?
I’ve always loved math and I’ve always loved languages, which are two areas people usually keep pretty separate. But I couldn’t choose between them, so I didn’t. I double-majored in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Spanish in undergrad, then went on to get master’s degrees in both Public Policy and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. It was at the State Department that I finally got to bring it all together, analytical thinking and cultural fluency, logic and nuance, all in one place.
I never set out to work in AI specifically, but I’ve always been interested in systems (being a natural systems thinker) on how to make systems – governments, policies, institutions – work better for people. At my first job working on Afghanistan at the State Department, I quickly realized data could help uncover structural problems and drive smarter decisions. That curiosity eventually evolved into a passion for AI, not as a buzzword, but as a tool with the potential to improve diplomacy, decision-making, efficiency, and more. I wanted to make sure my lovely Department of State was at the forefront of AI and innovation, to be the best. And we are!
What do you love the most about your current role?
I love that there is no playbook. At the State Department, I get to help define what it means to be data- and AI-driven in a 21st century foreign policy institution. My team is building enterprise platforms, launching internal GenAI tools, and shaping governance frameworks, all while working across numerous DC bureaus and 200+ overseas posts. It’s complex, political, and often messy but it’s so meaningful. I love getting to work at the intersection of innovation, bureaucracy, and diplomacy.
What role do you see AI playing in shaping the future of work and society?
AI is one of the most exciting disruptors of our time, not because it will replace humans, but because it will redefine what human work can be. It’s going to shift what skills are valued, how people spend their time, and even what we consider “expertise.” I see this as a generational opportunity: to offload repetitive, soul-draining parts of work and reimagine roles around judgment, empathy, creativity, and decision-making.
In HR, that might mean spending less time manually screening resumes and more time designing inclusive, values-based hiring strategies. In procurement, professionals will move from endless paperwork to managing intelligent systems that anticipate needs, flag risks, and recommend sourcing options. In diplomacy, AI can help with briefing preparations, writing, and processes volumes of information quickly, moving from face-to-screen time to more face-to-face time.
What I try to stress to people is that the big shift is that AI won’t eliminate our jobs, it will shift how we spend our time in our jobs.
How do you stay current with the latest developments in AI and technology?
It’s a mix of formal and informal channels. I make a point to read every major media article on AI as soon as it drops because I need to be ready to explain it to a principal or weigh in with my perspective to leadership, often with little notice. And with AI being so hot right now, this is pretty frequent.
I also dig into technical papers, stay active in interagency working groups, and listen to podcasts that break down both the hype and the nuance. But I probably learn the most from my team, engineers, data scientists, and program analysts who are building and testing AI systems every day. And yes, I also watch TikToks. Some of the best prompt engineering tips and real-world commentary on tech adoption come from social media. Staying current means meeting the information where it lives and right now, it lives in a lot of places.
What personal or professional philosophies have contributed to your success, and how have you applied these principles in your career?
I’ve always acted in the face of risk (frequently to the dismay of my loved ones), because my fear of not trying has consistently outweighed my fear of failing. That mindset has shaped everything from joining the Peace Corps, to working in conflict zones, to stepping into leadership roles in spaces where people didn’t expect someone like me.
I’m also a textbook idealist. I joined public service because I want to make the world better. That hasn’t changed. I believe the government can work. I believe institutions can evolve. And I believe AI, if done right, is one of the most powerful tools we have to do good at scale.
My philosophical grounding is Stoicism; Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is the book I reread most. It reminds me to focus on what’s in my control, act with integrity, and stay mission-focused even when things are hard (which is often). I’ve never had a traditional tech background, but I’ve built credibility by doing the work and delivering results, repeatedly. I don’t chase titles. I focus on outcomes, and I try to make space for others, especially women and women of color, to lead unapologetically.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
I’ve never had an idol. I always knew my path would be different, so I never really looked at someone else and said, “I want to be her.” That said, I’ve had a lot of people help me get here.
First and forever – my mom. She’s been my number one hype woman from day one. She basically brainwashed me with love and belief in myself, and that level of delusional confidence? It sticks. She made me think I could do anything, and that kind of foundation changes you.
Professionally, I’ve been lucky. So many people, women and men, have given me advice, handed me stretch projects before I thought I was ready, and just quietly believed in me. I’ve never forgotten those acts. And I try to pay it forward.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
I’m a lifelong athlete and total sports junkie. I ran track in high school and college, and now I channel that competitive energy into playing, watching, and obsessing over all sports, especially through fantasy leagues and Michigan football.
I also love anything that makes me feel alive: traveling to new countries, being outside, dancing until 2am, or just saying yes to spontaneous plans. I rarely plan my weekends and I like it that way.
I’m also a reader, a writer, and a DIY home repair enthusiast. Right now, I’m learning to fix up bathrooms through ChatGPT and YouTube. And I’m working on a book that blends memoir and manifesto, about women choosing nontraditional paths and redefining what fulfillment looks like (who knows if I’ll finish it, but it’s about the journey). For me, learning new things and staying in motion – physically, intellectually, emotionally – is a big part of what keeps life joyful.
What is your favorite quote?
“Love nothing but that which comes to you woven in the pattern of your destiny” – Marcus Aurelius
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
You know, whenever I’m asked this question, I think back to what I was doing five years ago, and I never could have imagined I’d be where I am now. That’s taught me not to get too fixated on any single destination. I’m a competitive high achiever, yes, but I’ve learned that if I lock in on one vision of the future, I might miss something even more fulfilling.
So instead of setting rigid goals, I stay grounded in values. I want to help people. I want to do meaningful work. I want to make the world better—whether that’s through mentoring, writing, policy, or building AI tools that make people’s lives easier and possibly more fulfilling.
That said, in five years I could see myself leading my own firm, helping governments organizations become AI-enabled in ways that reflect their own values and contexts. I want to help shape the global AI governance conversation, not just from a technical perspective but from a deeply human one. And I want a life that feels expansive – more time creating, traveling, mentoring women, and living in a way that reflects not just what I can do, but who I am.
What advice would you give to young professionals looking to enter the field of AI and diplomacy?
Don’t wait for permission. There’s no predefined “AI + diplomacy” path; you build it as you go. Start learning. Understand the systems. Study power. Learn how government actually works.
And maybe most importantly – don’t leave your full self at the door. If you’ve been told you’re too young, too different, too “non-technical,” this space needs you the most. The future of AI in diplomacy isn’t just about models and algorithms. It’s about people, values, and impact. We need more voices in the room, especially ones that don’t sound like the status quo.