Voices

Next year will bring a complex mix of evolution, correction and convergence when it comes to AI. It will become more powerful, more personal and more ubiquitous — and also more expensive, more autonomous and more disruptive.

One-off ed-tech trainings aren’t enough for safe, meaningful AI use in classrooms. A new guide from SETDA and partners outlines practical steps for states and districts to build sustained professional learning systems that actually change practice.

Arizona's first chief data and analytics officer Josh Wagner explains how good governance and quality data build a culture where innovation can thrive and agencies can have meaningful impact for residents.

The cameras can track fugitives, monitor suspicious activity and more, but they must be used responsibly and ethically in order to keep us all safer.

Overhauling government procurement is a complex task that requires clarity of purpose, especially for large-scale IT projects. Lessons from California offer examples of how to weigh priorities and navigate trade-offs.

Disconnected systems slow down plan review and leave staff without the spatial context they need for accurate decisions. Integrating GIS directly into electronic plan review creates faster, smarter and more reliable workflows that improve outcomes for both applicants and communities.

OVERVIEW

Because artificial intelligence is always learning, its introduction in government means agencies must continually adapt as well, as must leaders who want to evolve their management styles.

Hear how public agencies are using AI built for government to streamline services, reduce friction and meet rising resident expectations.

AI chatbots are transforming how citizens interact with government — delivering 24/7 service, instant answers and multilingual access. But success depends on responsible design, with transparency, security and human oversight at the core.

By modernizing its 911 system and embracing automation, El Paso is delivering faster, more efficient emergency services with tools like a bot to take non-emergency calls and real-time language translation.

A growing wave of “ghost students” — fake identities powered by AI and stolen personal data — is siphoning millions from community college financial aid systems. Weak identity verification processes have opened the door to large-scale fraud, underscoring the urgent need for modern, low-friction identity tools that protect funding and ensure aid reaches real students.