AI as a resilience tool: Insights from a longtime USPS civil servant

Meiko Patton, an AI communications specialist and spokesperson with the United States Postal Service, brings over 30 years of corporate communications experience to her mission of empowering federal leaders in the AI era.  Patton is the founder of Meiko.AI and the powerhouse behind “Ms. Beehiiv”, a newsletter where she shares insights on how to master AI every week. Through her “AI Fed Newsletter,” curated tools and strategic workshops, she equips mid-career professionals and federal executives alike to lead with clarity and confidence in a world of rapid automation. Also, Patton was recently named a trusted advisor with Ragan’s Center for AI Strategy.

You spent over three decades at USPS What’s something the average person doesn’t understand about working there?

Most people assume the USPS is just about delivering letters, but it’s an entire ecosystem of careers. When I was hired, I thought the only roles were letter carriers and supervisors. I had no idea there were opportunities in sales, communications, customer service, IT and beyond. Once I discovered the variety of roles, I made it my mission to climb the ladder. My career went from carrying mail on the streets of Los Angeles to managing corporate communications for entire districts. The USPS is a microcosm of the federal workforce — full of untapped opportunities if you want to be a servant in the federal government.

How did you first start experimenting with technology and AI tools while still in a federal environment?

My journey with AI began in 2022 when ChatGPT was released. As an avid Bible reader, I was fascinated by how quickly I could research deep scriptural topics — Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic word meanings were at my fingertips in seconds. That moment was a game-changer. I realized that if AI could enrich my personal studies, it could also enhance professional workflows, documentation, and communication strategies in the federal space. That’s when I started exploring how AI could preserve institutional knowledge for CEO succession planning and empower employees to adapt to rapid changes.

As a longtime civil servant now shaping AI strategy, how do you convince skeptics that AI isn’t just hype, but a tool for resilience?

 I honestly don’t really need to convince anyone — AI’s impact is undeniable. Every company in the “Magnificent 7” (Apple, Microsoft, Google, etc.) is investing billions into AI. Trillion-dollar companies are being built on its backbone. The president has even signed an executive order around AI adoption. My focus is on showing federal employees how AI isn’t replacing them but arming them — turning their expertise into future-proof skills. Resilience comes from adaptation, and AI is the fastest way to adapt.

You’ve built a whole platform around being “RIF-ready.” Explain more about what that means and what’s something someone can do today to be better prepared for tomorrow’s changes?

 “RIF-ready” means being prepared for workforce reductions , shutdowns or post-buyout transitions. I faced intense workplace harassment a few years ago, and instead of walking away, I chose reinvention through technology. Today, I help federal employees use AI to document their institutional knowledge, translate it into marketable skills, and build a plan that thrives even if their jobs vanish. I even personally negotiated an 80% discount for federal employees to learn AI with Rundown AI University owner Rowan Cheung. And yes, I vibe-coded that website with Lovable. Just another example of practicing what I preach.

One thing you can do today? Start mastering AI tools. Every day I use tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Perplexity, Manus and more. Even if you have to pay for these tools out of your own pocket, it’s important to level up in AI.

What’s your favorite way to decompress after a long day?

Reading the Bible, praying, or listening to an audiobook. Recently, I’ve been listening to “Feelings Buried Alive Never Die” by Karol Truman. She talks about how every word, thought, and feeling carries a vibration that’s recorded in your body—even in your DNA. That perspective reminds me to speak life, be kind and protect my energy. It’s a simple but powerful way to remain grateful.

You’ve seen multiple generations come through the workplace. What’s one work habit you think should make a comeback? And one you’re glad we left behind?

 Make a comeback: Kindness. Zig Ziglar said, “Be kind to everyone you meet because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Negative words leave a mark — sometimes literally in our bodies — and I think workplaces need to re-learn that kindness fuels collaboration and loyalty.

Glad we left behind: The culture of silence around harassment and bullying. I endured that personally, and I did not keep silent. I believe no employee should have to “tough it out” in toxic work environments. Speaking up and creating safe workplaces not only helps the company to thrive, but most importantly, the individual.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.