What Makes AI Stick in Government, per Justin Fulcher

Government technology projects do not always outlast their launch. Justin Fulcher, who co-founded the telemedicine platform RingMD and later advised the Secretary of Defense, has a clear view of why some tools take hold while others gather dust.

The Friction Test

The principle is straightforward. In regulated environments, adoption follows when a tool reduces friction that already exists. Products that demand extensive retraining, introduce compliance concerns, or add new failure points struggle to gain traction. Products that integrate cleanly into existing workflows and demonstrably save time get used.

Justin Fulcher saw this firsthand at the Department of Defense, where he focused on acquisition reform and technology modernization. Initiatives Justin Fulcher contributed to cut software procurement timelines “from years to months” and updated key IT systems across the department, according to a recent profile.

Starting Small and Specific

For AI, the friction test points toward everyday administrative work. Document processing, data synthesis, routine correspondence, scheduling, and compliance checks are all candidates. Justin Fulcher has argued AI can “dramatically accelerate performance and upgrade legacy capabilities” in federal workflows and defense systems.

The goal is to give skilled personnel more time for higher-value work. The bigger question, he suggests, concerns how agency systems are built rather than how much headcount or budget they have. “The issue is not national decline; it’s institutional drag,” he wrote in an article on institutional renewal.

Implementation still requires care. Government AI systems must be auditable, explainable, and designed to fail safely, and they must work with legacy infrastructure that cannot be replaced overnight. Clear objectives, realistic timelines, and a willingness to iterate on user feedback separate useful tools from added complexity. Those habits also help a system earn trust from the workforce and the public.

Justin Fulcher captures the patience this requires in a LinkedIn article on public service and responsibility: “Serious work is defined less by certainty at the outset than by stewardship over time.” See related link for more information.

See for more about Justin Fulcher on https://www.instagram.com/justinfulcher/?hl=en

Government technology projects do not always outlast their launch. Justin Fulcher, who co-founded the telemedicine platform RingMD and later advised the Secretary of Defense, has a clear view of why some tools take hold while others gather dust. The Friction Test The principle is straightforward. In regulated environments, adoption follows when a tool reduces friction…