Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

Opening Remarks

Keynote - The Art of Espionage: Understanding the Fundamentals of Spycraft

Espionage isn't just a plot in thrillers; it's a real and present danger. Doubtful you could be enticed into the world of spying? Think again. Our speaker, a former Case Officer (spy), will unveil her methods for identifying and recruiting individuals across various industries—revealing tactics from casual conversations at airport lounges to sophisticated surveillance operations. This insightful presentation dives deep into the clandestine world of espionage and its implications for your organization. Explore the intricate realms of industrial, corporate, and foreign espionage, as we dissect their motivations, the financial stakes involved, recruitment strategies, and provide vivid case studies of threat actors. Learn about the espionage toolkit, which blends traditional human intelligence methods with cutting-edge cyber security tactics. This talk will illuminate how today's adversaries, including hackers, nation-states, and organized crime rings, employ espionage techniques reminiscent of those used by spies. Equip yourself with the knowledge to detect and defend against espionage, whether you're facing a human operative or a cyber threat.

Shawnee Delaney, CEO, Vaillance Group and Former Spy

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Concurrent Sessions

Breaking Down Barriers: Smarter Data Sharing Across Arkansas

Effective data sharing is essential for modern government operations, but it requires thoughtful governance, clear agreements, and a unified approach. This session will explore how Arkansas is working to streamline interagency collaboration through updated IT policies, secure infrastructure, and structured data sharing agreements. Panelists will discuss the current systems in place, challenges around data sensitivity and classification, and the importance of avoiding both under- and over-sharing. While emerging technologies like AI add complexity, the focus remains on building a trusted framework that supports efficiency, privacy, and transparency across departments.

Beyond the Outage: Resilient Communities Through Continuity and Response

Disruptions - from fiber cuts to cyber incidents - can halt operations in an instant. This session explores how state and local agencies can prepare for the unexpected and recover quickly. Learn how to maintain services without internet, build a flexible incident response framework, and create continuity plans that go beyond IT. Hear how partnerships with emergency services and local stakeholders are shaping a statewide approach, and why educating teams is key to resilience. Whether the outage lasts a day or a month, this session will help you plan smarter and bounce back faster.

Arkansas Forward: The Future of IT in the Natural State

The “Arkansas Forward” initiative is driving a new era of efficiency and effectiveness in state government, with IT playing a central role. This session will explore the state’s evolving technology roadmap, key legislative developments, and the foundational principles guiding modernization. While focused on state-level transformation, the session will also highlight how these strategies can serve as a model for local governments across Arkansas.

Lunch

Bits and Bytes – Charting Arkansas's AI Future: Insights from the State’s AI Working Group

Get the inside scoop from the Arkansas AI and Analytics Center of Excellence, the state’s initiative to guide responsible AI adoption in government. This session highlights key recommendations, including the proposed Chief AI Officer role, pilot projects tackling fraud and recidivism, and a framework of ethical AI principles. Discover how Arkansas is shaping its AI strategy to enhance public services while ensuring transparency and accountability.

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Sessions

AI Literacy for Leaders: What You Need to Know and Do

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the public sector, understanding its capabilities, limitations, and practical applications is essential. This session explores the foundational elements of AI literacy, including how to get comfortable with emerging technologies, recognize the difference between free and licensed tools, and navigate the evolving landscape of AI categories and use cases. Learn from task force recommendations and real-world examples to assess your agency’s AI readiness and competence. We'll also discuss strategies for establishing literacy programs and ensuring your team is equipped to use AI effectively and responsibly.

Modern Problems, Modern Skills: Training IT for the Future of Government

As technology evolves at breakneck speed, the skillsets required to support modern government IT are shifting just as rapidly. From cloud migration and AI integration to automation and embedded learning, public sector IT teams are being asked to do more - with less. This session explores how state and local agencies can retool their workforce to meet the demands of tomorrow. We'll discuss strategies for upskilling across generations, securing funding for training, leveraging platforms like Arkansas Launch, and aligning with academic institutions to close the skills gap. Join us for a candid conversation on how to build a future-ready IT workforce that can adapt, innovate, and thrive.

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Hosted by Jay Harton, Director and Chief Technology Officer, Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of State Technology, State of Arkansas

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Arkansas’s Digital Government Challenge – A Public Sector Trivia Showdown

Think fast. Collaborate under pressure. Test your knowledge of governance, policy, and emerging tech in this high-energy, team-based trivia showdown. More than a competition - this is a chance to network, share insights, and strengthen connections across Arkansas’s public sector. Whether you want to build new relationships or sharpen your expertise, this interactive session delivers. Are you ready to lead your team to victory?

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.