Teri Takai, chief programs officer for the Center for Digital Government, and Dan Gohl, head of U.S. education strategy for HP, break down the infrastructure and energy challenges that come with scaling AI in state and local government. They explore how AI’s shift from retrieving to generating data is driving massive compute and power demands, requiring CIOs to rethink data center roles, adopt hybrid compute models and prioritize energy resilience. They also outline practical steps and strategic priorities for public sector leaders to build a secure, efficient and future-ready AI infrastructure.
SHOW NOTES
Here are the top-six takeaways from this episode:- Powering AI at Scale in Government
AI isn’t just transforming tech companies — it’s rewriting the rules of local economies. The conversation breaks down how government leaders can seize the moment and turn AI’s rapid rise into real opportunities for their communities. - The New Role of the Data Center
Future-ready government starts with a strong foundation. Takai and Gohl dig into what it takes—from secure networks to smart policies—to make sure cities and states can harness AI’s power. - Energy as a Strategic Resource
AI won’t succeed if people don’t know how to use it. The conversation dives into why education and upskilling are the keys to using AI for everyday problem-solving. - Hybrid Compute Strategies for Resilience
More data, more decisions and more public questions. Takai and Gohl explore how to walk the line between AI innovation and protecting privacy rights. - Emerging Hardware Innovations
AI doesn’t just happen to us; we get to shape it. The episode closes with a challenge to leaders and residents: lean in, learn and help guide how AI transforms government and community life. - Upskilling for an AI-Driven Workforce
Preparing staff to use and manage AI tools now will help close the skills gap before more advanced automation and AI agents take hold. Upskilling efforts should focus on integrating AI into workflows, managing decentralized compute and ensuring cybersecurity.
Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to
help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.
*Governing and Government Technology are divisions of e.Republic LLC.
