When Innovation Meets Collaboration: Transforming Government Through Technology

New York’s CIO discusses balancing AI innovation, cybersecurity, and workforce growth to modernize government services while prioritizing taxpayer value and collaboration.

Session Overview

Dru Rai, New York State’s CIO, shares insights on how the state is leveraging technology, cybersecurity, and AI to improve government services while balancing innovation with practicality. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, workforce growth, and organizational restructuring to better serve New Yorkers.

What You’ll Learn

How New York State is using AI and machine learning to enhance cybersecurity, processing 250,000 logs per second to detect threats.
The balance between innovation and proven technology in government IT, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
Why AI isn’t replacing jobs but instead expanding the workforce (800+ new hires in 13 months).
The role of dedicated, agency-specific IT teams to improve service delivery and domain expertise.
The importance of partnerships, trust, and communication in digital transformation.

Strategy in Action

Cybersecurity at Scale: Using AI-driven tools to analyze massive volumes of threat data in real time.
Workforce Growth: Hiring and upskilling employees to manage and refine AI systems.
Organizational Restructuring: Shifting to a matrix model with dedicated agency IT teams supported by shared services.
Cautious AI Adoption: Experimenting with generative AI while prioritizing accuracy and reliable data.

Quotable Moment

"The only thing worse than working with allies is working without them."
— Dru Rai, quoting Winston Churchill to emphasize the necessity of collaboration, even when partnerships are challenging.

Why You Should Listen

Real-world government tech leadership: Learn how a large state manages digital transformation amid budget constraints and high citizen expectations.
Practical AI insights: Understand the limitations of generative AI in government and why foundational automation comes first.
Proven strategies for modernization: Discover how restructuring IT teams and fostering partnerships lead to better outcomes.
Relatable challenges & humor: Rai’s candid perspective (e.g., comparing bad chatbot data to "having marijuana") makes complex topics accessible.

Want more insights like this? Great news—Dru Rai will be back at the Government Innovation Showcase NY in November 2025! Secure your spot and stay updated.