Air Force Names Col. Bryan Sparkman Deputy CDAO

The Department of the Air Force has appointed Col. Bryan Sparkman as the service’s new deputy chief data and AI officer (CDAO).  

He is taking up the new position after working as chief analyst for the Force Application Division within the Joint Chiefs of Staff.   

He will be responsible for supporting the department’s data and AI initiatives.

Sparkman is succeeding Col. Anthony Lang who served as deputy CDAO since January 2024 and recently retired.   

The department established its Chief Data Office in 2017 with the aim of strengthening and modernizing data strategy and capabilities. AI was added to the office’s portfolio in 2021, and the organization’s name was changed to the Chief Data and AI Office.