In this episode of the GovAI Podcast, Noam Maital and Dustin Haisler are joined by Benjamin Palacio, Senior IT Analyst for Placer County, California and a longtime practitioner on the frontlines of government AI.

Ben has been building AI solutions since 2018, well before the current wave of generative AI, and brings a rare, hands-on perspective on how AI has evolved inside government over the past several years.

They explore what’s actually changing (and what isn’t), from early rule-based chatbots to today’s real-time, dynamic AI systems and what that means for agencies trying to move from experimentation to real deployment.

The conversation dives into how AI is being applied today, including chatbots, automation, and citizen-facing tools, as well as the operational realities of adoption: procurement challenges, data governance, validation, and the risks of vendor lock-in.

They also tackle one of the biggest questions in government today: Will AI replace workers or fundamentally change how work gets done?

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

Season 2 of the GovAI Podcast is here.

AI is evolving faster than government policy, procurement, and regulation can keep up and that gap is creating both massive opportunity and real risk.

In this kickoff episode, Noam Maital and Dustin Haisler break down what’s happening right now across the AI landscape: from federal and state regulation battles to the race between frontier models like OpenAI, Gemini, and Copilot. They also explore what agencies actually need to be doing today to prepare for the next wave of AI adoption.

From shadow AI inside agencies to agentic systems and citizen-facing AI, this conversation looks ahead to where government AI is heading in 2026 and beyond.

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

In this episode of the GovAI podcast, Denise Reilly-Hughes, Vermont's Chief Information Officer, discusses her transition from the private sector to government, emphasizing the importance of a human-centric approach to technology. She highlights the need for a code of ethics in AI, the value of embracing failure in innovation, and the challenges of managing public records in the age of AI. The conversation also touches on successful use cases of AI in government, particularly in response to flooding, and the importance of building effective partnerships with vendors.

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

Listen in to Anthony Fisher, Department of Revenue Data Governance and Artificial Intelligence Lead at the State of Colorado, and Jiri Rutner, Homelessness Solutions Enterprise Manager at the City of San Jose, discuss their involvement as founding board members of the GovAI Coalition, and how to approach innovating from within government. 

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

In this episode of the GovAI Podcast, Noam Maital speaks with Rachel Stern, founder and CEO of GovTech Venture, about the transformative role of AI in government technology. They discuss Rachel's journey in the GovTech space, the challenges faced by government agencies in adopting new technologies, and the unique dynamics of selling to government entities. The conversation also explores the implications of AI on public services, the importance of understanding product market fit, and the future of AI in government operations.

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

In this conversation, Noam Maital interviews Sophia Moore, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer at COTA, about the integration of AI and technology in public transit. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of using AI to enhance customer service, the importance of data governance, and the cultural changes required to upskill the workforce. Sophia shares insights on the future of COTA and how technology will play a crucial role in providing better public transit services in Central Ohio.

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

In this episode of the GovAI Podcast, host Noam Maital speaks with Chris McMasters, the CIO of Corona, California, about the transformative role of AI in government. Chris shares his journey from the private sector to local government, emphasizing the importance of innovation and the challenges of integrating AI into public service. The conversation explores the cultural shifts needed to foster innovation, the complexities of vendor relationships, and the balance between risk management and creativity in adopting new technologies. Chris also discusses the future of work in government, the necessity of training employees to effectively use AI tools, and his vision for a more efficient and responsive government in the years to come.

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

In this episode, Noam Maital and Mayor of Lake Stevens, Brett Gailey, explore how AI is reshaping public service by improving efficiency, enhancing decision-making, and preserving institutional knowledge, all while emphasizing the importance of data quality, governance, and workforce education.

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

Listen in to Noam Maital and Dustin Haisler discussing the push for AI legislation across the United States and how to responsibly regulate AI use in government without discouraging innovation. 

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.

Listen in to Noam Maital and Micheal Pegues discussing Michael's transition from the private to the public sector, and how he is making Aurora IL "America's smartest city."

This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.