She spoke to Government Technology during the recent National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) conference in Denver.
Her comments both reflect the challenges — and opportunities — that all CIOs face, and also illuminate the increasingly high stakes of the job.
Top of mind was the Trump administration's efforts to severely reduce the federal budget, cuts that have state and local leaders worried about how those efforts will impact their own finances and work.
It was a common theme during the most recent NASCIO conference.
“We are concerned about the impact the fiscal constraints are having on our ability to provide direct services to our constituents,” she said during an interview.
Hawaii has recently announced a $68 million modernization push for its financial management system — a lengthy and involved process for a system that had its last major update 50 years ago — while also trying to increase digital equity to native Hawaiians.
Those are just two examples of services for which Sakuda and other peers are responsible.
Like many other CIOs, and even suppliers of government technology, she offered a positive outlook during these dim budget times.
“It’s an opportunity to look at ways for state government to become more efficient, more effective,” she said.
And then there is the looming presence of artificial intelligence.
She said the state is coming out with guidelines for the responsible use of AI, and that she has faith in the AI skills being brought to state technology development by newer colleagues.
“The younger generation coming into state government, they have been doing AI probably their whole lives,” Sakuda said.
