Gov Tech Today

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, we welcome Liana Bailey-Crimmins, California's Chief Information Officer and Director of the California Department of Technology. Jennifer and Liana discuss the intersections of government and technology, focusing on lessons learned from a 30-year career, the challenges of bridging the digital divide, and how California is leading the way in AI adoption and cybersecurity. Key insights include the importance of partnerships in vendor relationships, the role of generative AI in modernizing public services, and the significance of putting people first in technological advancements.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:45 Liana Bailey-Crimmins' Career Journey

01:03 Lessons Learned in Government IT

02:07 Broadband and Security Initiatives

03:15 Vendor Relationships and Partnerships

10:19 Innovation and Change Management

12:05 California's Federated IT Model

14:27 Local Government Outreach

15:11 Navigating California's Complex Policies

15:48 Service Provider Collaboration

16:54 State-Level Support and Community Impact

18:32 Challenges and Opportunities in Public Service

19:20 Innovative Procurement Strategies

23:17 AI and Cybersecurity Initiatives

24:38 Generative AI in Government Operations

32:39 Future Vision and Legacy

In this episode of Govtech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the pressing issue of efficiency in government services. They explore how inefficiencies in federal contract management impact state and local governments, particularly in California. Topics include license overselling, cloud storage waste, and the consolidation of HR systems. The discussion also touches on the challenges and implications of the return-to-office mandate for state employees and its broader effects on vendors and the workforce. Expert insights and real-world examples, such as Amazon's cost-saving strategies, highlight the opportunities for improvement in government tech utilization.

00:00 Introduction to Govtech Today

00:17 Government Efficiency Challenges

00:55 Impact of Federal Policies on State and Local Levels

02:58 Overselling and Overbuying in Government Contracts

06:40 Cloud Utilization and Efficiency

11:01 Consolidation of Government Systems

18:25 Return to Office Mandate

28:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Govtech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the significant shift from California's Project Approval Lifecycle (PAL) to the Project Delivery Lifecycle (PDL).  

Jen provides initial insights and critiques, emphasizing the hurdles and inefficiencies of the PAL process, which often led to prolonged project timelines. Russell and Jen explore the potential improvements and persistent challenges of the new PDL process, highlighting its iterative approach, consideration for modern technologies like generative AI, and alignment with state goals. They also touch upon the varying expertise across different departments and the importance of stakeholder feedback in refining the procurement process.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

01:05 The Problems with the PAL Process

04:05 Introducing the Project Delivery Lifecycle (PDL)

05:27 Evaluating the PDL Process

15:55 Generative AI in Government Projects

18:23 Aligning Projects with State Goals

20:58 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha welcomes Becky Albin, Senior Director of Systems Engineering at Software AG. They dive into the enduring relevance and evolving role of mainframes in today’s technology landscape. Becky shares her extensive experience and insights on the challenges and benefits of mainframe modernization, the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce, and the vital role these systems play in both commercial and government sectors. This episode is packed with valuable information on how mainframes can coexist with modern cloud solutions and the critical importance of user experience in tech transformations.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:54 Becky's Background and Career Journey

02:05 Women in Tech: Challenges and Opportunities

03:16 The State of Mainframes Today

04:18 Mainframes vs. Cloud: Cost and Performance

08:52 Modernization and Hybrid Solutions

14:13 Future of Mainframes and Workforce Challenges

17:39 Training the Next Generation of Mainframe Experts

26:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha interviews Doug Robinson, Executive Director of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). Doug discusses his background and the role of NASCIO in representing state CIOs and IT leaders across the public sector. The conversation covers a broad range of topics including NASCIO's top 10 priorities for state CIOs, the rising importance of cybersecurity, the rapid ascent of generative AI, and the evolving role of CIOs in state government. They delve into challenges like AI policy and data management, the impact of legislative actions, and the importance of good governance in technology implementation. Doug shares insights on how states can navigate these complex issues while striving for innovation and efficiency in government technology.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:26 Meet Doug Robinson: Executive Director of NASCIO

02:31 NASCIO's Top 10 Priorities for 2025

04:21 The Rise of AI in Government Technology

11:14 The Evolving Role of State CIOs

25:33 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Legislation

33:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/1HUDU 

Spotify: https://shorturl.at/nOA4K

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha explore the groundbreaking steps taken by the State of California in adopting AI technology for government operations. They discuss the state's unique approach to procurement through Request for Innovative Ideas and its collaborative projects with major firms like Accenture and Deloitte. Key projects include traffic mobility insights, tax center call productivity, language tools for health services, housing plan reviews, economic predictions, and legislative analysis. The episode also highlights the importance of data hygiene and readiness, with a look at how various state agencies are preparing their data for AI integration. Finally, the hosts reflect on the role of AI in making government processes more efficient without displacing workers, as well as the broader implications of AI adoption in public services.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:46 California's AI Implementation Journey

01:42 Innovative Procurement Process

02:38 Generative AI in Action: Caltrans Case Study

03:52 Expanding AI Projects Across State Departments

07:24 Labor's Role and Concerns with AI

09:39 Data Hygiene and AI Readiness

16:50 Future of AI in State Services

LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/Ahait

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e_hPDZFbEY

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha speaks with Dan Kent, Field CTO at Cloudflare, about his extensive career in public sector IT and cybersecurity. Dan shares insights on the importance of securing the internet, the role of DNS, legislative efforts to enforce security measures, and the impact of AI in the cybersecurity landscape. He also emphasizes the urgency of adopting AI advancements in government to stay ahead of cyber threats. Tune in for a deep dive into modern cybersecurity strategies and the future of government technology. 

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today 

00:36 Dan Kent's Career Journey 

02:17 The Importance of Securing the Internet 

05:42 AI in Cybersecurity 

08:22 Government Adoption of AI 

12:44 Top Technology Priorities for State CIOs 

17:58 Combating AI-Driven Cyber Threats 

21:51 Advice for State Government Employees 

24:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7300958302484471808

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZdIfSsoSB4

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into California's extensive budget process and its significant technological components. They discuss how the budget affects various public and private sectors, address concerns over deficits, and highlight the importance of technology in state projects from road construction to cybersecurity. With detailed insights on the procurement process and key spending areas, such as AI and modernization projects in health and human services, they provide an understanding of the fiscal strategies and priorities shaping California's future.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:09 Understanding California's Budget Process

00:56 Technology's Role in the State Budget

02:15 Governor's Budget Announcement

05:47 Revamping Technology Procurement

12:25 Key Technology Projects and Spending

18:33 Impact of Federal Dynamics on State Budget

20:39 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into the California Department of Technology's Envision 2026 roadmap. They discuss its focus on innovative, resilient, and equitable IT infrastructure, and what it means for vendors and state employees. Key topics include cybersecurity, strengthening the technology workforce, the impact of AI, and practical tips for aligning with the state's strategic goals. Tune in to explore the five key pillars of Envision 2026 and how they shape the future of California's public sector technology.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:17 California's New Technology Vision

00:32 Impact on the Vendor Community

01:55 State Employees and the Envision 2026 Plan

04:33 Cybersecurity: A Top Priority

06:52 Strengthening the Technology Workforce

11:17 Adopting AI in Government

13:36 Challenges in Technology Procurement

18:13 Conclusion and Action Steps