California is setting a precedent as the first state to launch enterprise-scale generative AI tools across core government services. This session will show you how to apply new approaches on how you can adopt AI responsibly while driving measurable improvements in productivity, safety, and citizen service.

• Advance workforce productivity with tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot to reduce manual work
• Transform transportation management by using AI analytics to cut congestion and boost safety
• Improve citizen interactions by deploying AI-enabled customer service tools that resolve queries faster
• Adapt deployment strategies from California’s pilots to accelerate your own agency’s AI adoption

As demand for faster, easier, and more transparent public services grows, agencies are rethinking how they deliver high-volume, citizen-facing programs. This session will highlight how modernization and digital-first strategies are helping agencies enhance efficiency, reduce friction, and create a seamless customer experience.

• Expand self-service tools to reduce wait times and improve accessibility
• Modernize legacy systems to enable faster, more reliable service delivery
• Incorporate customer feedback and continuous testing to refine digital platforms
• Strengthen trust and transparency with real-time updates and streamlined processes
• Advance workforce productivity by using digital tools to support, not replace, staff
• Ensure equity by designing inclusive services accessible to all communities

California’s Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC) must release an AI Cybersecurity Playbook by July 2026 under AB 979. This effort will set new rules for protecting systems and sharing information securely across state and local agencies.

This session will cover:

• What the playbook will mean for government organizations.
  
• How agencies can prepare for new cybersecurity requirements.
  
• Steps to strengthen secure collaboration before 2026.

Communities face increasing natural disasters, crime rates, and public health crises. Recent issues like wildfires and the ongoing need for efficient emergency response in California highlight the importance of leveraging AI to improve response times, predict risks, and optimize resource allocation, ultimately enhancing public safety and resilience.

• How can we effectively integrate AI technologies into our existing public safety infrastructure to improve response times and coordination during emergencies?
• What predictive AI tools can we implement to better forecast and mitigate the impact of natural disasters and other emergencies in California?
• How can we address ethical concerns and ensure the responsible use of AI in public safety, maintaining transparency and public trust?

Governments are under pressure to deliver faster, more seamless services while navigating limited resources and rising citizen expectations. This session will explore how proven industry approaches can be adapted to the public sector to strengthen operations, improve access, and enhance the overall service experience.

• Adapt scalable digital tools to modernize agency operations and workflows
• Increase service delivery speed by applying lessons from automation and AI
• Bolster cybersecurity and data privacy while expanding digital access
• Enrich citizen engagement by drawing on proven customer experience models

The rise of quantum computing poses a direct risk to today’s encryption standards, threatening the security of sensitive government data and systems. This session will help you understand the urgency of the shift and apply new approaches on how you can strengthen your agency’s security posture for the post-quantum era.

• Assess the real-world risks quantum technologies pose to your current cryptographic systems
• Adapt your organization’s roadmap to meet new post-quantum cryptography standards
• Increase resilience by integrating quantum-safe strategies into existing infrastructure
• Advance inter-agency collaboration to ensure consistent, secure adoption of new practices

Governments are under increasing pressure to deliver better services with fewer resources. While emerging tools create opportunities for rapid improvement, the real challenge lies in sustaining innovation and embedding it into everyday operations. This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can drive, support, and scale innovation to create lasting impact across your organization.

• Advance innovation by building systems and leadership support that sustain change
  
• Adapt emerging tools to meet the evolving needs of citizens and communities
  
• Optimize collaboration across agencies to scale pilots into long-term solutions
  
• Amplify the resilience and impact of your services through continuous innovation

Thomas Boon

Chief Information Officer, CA Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Joseph Taylor

Department Chair, Information Systems and Business Analytics, California State University-Sacramento

Fredrick Gomez

Agency Chief Information Officer, Director of Information Technology Services, California Department of Food and Drug Agriculture

California’s public agencies are reimagining service delivery to be more proactive, equitable, and responsive to citizen needs. This session explores how leadership across departments can champion a culture of modernization and collaboration that enhances both customer and operational outcomes.

• How agency leadership can partner with IT to drive human-centered service design and improve operational efficiency
• Using data and feedback to improve accessibility, trust, and decision-making in essential public services
• Building a culture of innovation and accountability that supports equitable outcomes for all families
• Ensuring modernization efforts align with real-world needs — strengthening service delivery, optimizing resources, and reaching vulnerable populations

Public sector supply chains are increasingly targeted, making procurement a critical line of defense. This session will show you how to embed cybersecurity in contracts, assess vendor risk, and ensure resilience in third-party partnerships.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can align procurement with security frameworks, reduce third-party vulnerabilities, and transform vendor relationships into trusted partnerships.

• Integrate cybersecurity standards and Zero Trust principles into procurement processes
• Evaluate vendor risks using proven frameworks and due diligence practices
• Adapt lessons from recent supply chain attacks to strengthen resilience
• Balance innovation, cost, and security in vendor selection and contract negotiations

Government procurement is evolving, with agencies seeking not just cost savings but also innovation, accountability, and long-term value from vendor relationships. In this session, procurement leaders will provide insights to help vendors better understand the government’s priorities, expectations, and processes. Attendees will gain clarity on how to navigate compliance requirements, present innovative solutions, and build partnerships that align with agency missions and citizen needs.

• What government buyers look for beyond pricing
• Common challenges vendors face in government procurement—and how to overcome them
• Best practices for engaging with agencies early and effectively
• How agencies evaluate innovation while ensuring fairness and compliance
• Building trusted, transparent, and long-term vendor partnerships

Topic 1: Accelerating IT Modernization
Topic 2: Designing User-Centered Services
Topic 3: Unlocking Open Data
Topic 4: AI & Analytics in Government
Topic 5: Public–Private Collaboration
Topic 6: Modernizing Procurement
Topic 7: Smarter Communities & Regions
Topic 8: Implementing Zero Trust
Topic 9: Privacy-by-Design in Services
Topic 10: Strengthening Cyber Resilience