Chief Data Officer Antonia Hernandez approaches this type of question with open mindedness, curiosity and resilience. She also recognizes the potential that artificial intelligence, handled ethically and mindfully, has in supporting face-to-face work while helping people navigate the child support system.
“Modernization isn’t just about upgrading systems — it’s about transforming how we work smarter, faster and with greater accuracy. It’s how we serve the public,” she told Government Technology. “Intelligent search, which helps our field officers quickly search our policies and procedures, is a prime example of how technology can reshape the way we support our business and serve Texans.”
Hernandez’ work integrates business acumen and data expertise. When first showcasing the solution, she shared that the team dedicated considerable time investigating solutions, defining needs and consulting experts. They refined terminology, built document libraries and chose features for a secure, efficient search. The system contains about 1.5 million cases at a time, and staff that use the intelligent search for policy and procedure support now save about two hours per week, which will increase upon full launch.
“This shift goes beyond technology. It reflects how we’re evolving as an organization — integrating AI, data governance and user-centered design to create tools that truly empower our workforce. With every step forward, we’re making modernization more than a project — it’s becoming part of how we work every day.”
Hernandez holds a Ph.D. in business administration and organizational leadership and is a Navy veteran. She was a training and development specialist at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and moved to the OAG as a management analyst in 2021. The Texas Association for Strategic Solutions and Collaboration in Computing recognized her with a Trailblazer Award last year for her work.
This story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Government Technology magazine. Click here to view the full digital edition online.
