Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Sanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois

Keynote – Leading the AI Revolution: IT's New Role in Global Public Sector Innovation

AI is reshaping everything and IT leaders in government and public sector organizations stand at a pivotal juncture. Traditionally viewed as reactive and slower to innovate than the private sector, the public sector is now uniquely positioned to take a hands-on stance in AI implementation. To do that, we need to understand how IT departments can anticipate and address business needs proactively. In this whirlwind session, digital transformation and AI expert, Sharon Gai, will take us on a journey around the world. Starting from the bustling streets of Hangzhou to the high-tech healthcare facilities of Tokyo, and finally to the classrooms of New York. Through this session, government leaders will understand the myriad ways AI is redefining society and be equipped with actionable insights, aiding them in harnessing the full potential of AI for the betterment of their communities.

Sharon Gai, Keynote Speaker & Author

General Session: Emerging Technology: Real-World Applications of AI in the Illinois Public Sector

While stakeholders may believe the sky is the limit with AI and emerging technology, public sector IT leaders must work hard to manage expectations on realistic ways to weave AI into workflows without compromising constituent privacy and critical security safeguards. In this session, we will talk about use cases where AI afforded wins across the state, as well as times IT leaders had to pivot from the original request to stay in compliance with the important policies and governance that protect the people of Illinois.

Sanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Navigating AI Policy and Governance While Prioritizing Public Trust

The proliferation of AI systems and the data that drives them are increasingly shaping our daily lives. Having guardrails and an effective governance process in place is more vital than ever and is essential to ensuring public trust. How should we approach the ethical and regulatory considerations that now must be taken into account? What are key principles and best practices for navigating the complex landscape of data and AI governance? This session offers actionable insights to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical use of data and AI technologies to foster public trust in their deployment within government organizations.

Cyber Hygiene 101

In an unpredictable world, effective crisis management and business continuity are essential responsibilities for everyone, regardless of their role. Are your teams doing all they can to defend your agency against a cyber-attack? What resources are you leaning on to stay up to date about the current threat landscape? Have you reached out to DoIT to leverage the state contracts and other resources that are available to help you create a meaningful response plan? This session will highlight the resources available, and how they can help you make a dent in being prepared.

Data Governance: Navigating the Present and Shaping the Future

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and exponential data growth, organizations face unprecedented challenges and opportunities in managing and sharing data effectively. We are inundated with data and challenged with making the most out of it. How are conversations around governance and privacy affecting day-to-day work life? What should we focus on when approaching this challenge to turn it into an opportunity? This session delves into the critical considerations and strategies for navigating the complex landscape of data governance and sharing - both now, and into the future.

Innovation Through Optimizing Partner Relationships

To ensure the delivery of successful, consistent services and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars, cooperative, mutually beneficial IT partnerships are crucial for state and local governments. Skill and experience are needed to align the right IT solutions to fit current and future business strategies, functional requirements, technical specifications, and budgets. Hear benchmarking strategies on optimizing partner relationships and outsourcing agreements, focusing on key aspects such as contract negotiation, performance monitoring, compliance, and risk mitigation.

Lunch

Bits and Bytes – DoIT Wins in 2024

Join our distinguished panel to learn how to take ideas from stakeholders into projects that solve real-world problems with DoIT. This discussion will provide details on projects that started as ideas that evolved into success stories that our IT leaders have had working with partners throughout the State in 2024. Don't miss this discussion on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of public sector IT.

Short Break

Concurrent Sessions

Legacy to Leading Edge: Modernization Strategies for Government

Legacy applications often form the backbone of many public sector organizations' IT infrastructure; however, as technology advances, they can become a liability, hindering innovation and efficiency. Modernizing these systems is crucial for improving service delivery, operational effectiveness, and citizen engagement. Where do agency leaders start the process of modernization when the obstacles can seem overwhelming? This session will provide valuable insights on how others have modernized legacy systems in the public sector, considered different models for moving forward, adopted agile methodologies to implement the change, and managed the costs associated with the modernization efforts.

The Future of the Digital User Experience

Often when we talk about user experience, the conversation focuses on ease-of-use. Constituents seek an intuitive, holistic, and accessible approach when working with government. How can we craft well-designed, accessible systems that understand enough about the user to personalize the experience and offer the least-restrictive option to meet that user’s needs without compromising privacy? Are we designing our systems and applications to meet the needs of individuals where they are? Join our session to give into the idea of meaningful access as we look to elevate the constituent experience for ALL that call Illinois home.

Finding, Keeping, and Growing Our Public Sector IT Talent

As the workforce landscape evolves, attracting and retaining top talent has become a critical challenge for organizations, especially the public sector. The modern workforce values flexibility, purpose-driven work, and opportunities for growth more than ever before. Where can the public sector find new talent to fill critical roles? How do we motivate and upskill our existing teams to meet the needs of an ever-evolving tech environment? This session shares creative tactics and strategies for establishing, retaining, and fostering a diverse, future-ready workforce.

Executive Briefing for Industry Partners

Sanjay Gupta, Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, State of Illinois

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

General Session – The Constituent Digital Experience of the Future

Constituents are accustomed to a certain level of ease and convenience when it comes to buying and receiving goods and services – typically through a click of a button on their smartphones. Ensuring this digital experience is at the top of the NASCIO priorities for 2024. In this fast-changing world, with soaring pressures to be constituent-centric, how can government keep up? How can government ensure digital equity and accessibility are embedded in their solutions? How will AI and new technologies enhance the digital experience while ensuring constituent privacy? This session will look to answer those questions and discuss what it takes to deliver government services safely, equitably, and securely.

William (Bill) Rials, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.