AI isn’t here to replace you, but it might replace how you work.

In this special episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Meggitt is joined by David Neal, known as a game-changer in government contracting, and David Fine, a technologist and AI advocate, to explore the role of artificial intelligence in federal acquisition.

Together, they unpack the promise and the pitfalls of emerging AI tools, why due diligence matters more than ever, and what small businesses need to know when exploring state, local, and federal opportunities in a tech-powered world.

On this episode, we will understand:

• The right way to use AI in GovCon
• Why “automation” doesn’t mean “replacement”
• How AI helps uncover hidden set-aside opportunities
• Why small businesses are shifting to state/local contracts
• The book that started it all: Hey GovCon, Get Help

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Chelsea shares book update and intro

[02:09] – Meet David Fine and David Neal

[06:20] – AI’s role in sourcing, compliance, and intelligence

[10:09] – Why most AI tools are still beta-quality

[14:15] – The ethics of AI-generated proposals

[18:59] – Where AI shines: reading long docs & flagging key data

[22:20] – State and local contracting: the 50-system puzzle

[24:54] – Tech as an enabler, not a solution

[26:11] – What’s next: sign-offs, future episodes & book promotion

Links and Resources:

• Hey GovCon, Get Help on Amazon

• David Neal on LinkedIn

• David Fine on LinkedIn

• Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile