Name: Georgia Emerging Technology Summit: Data & AI 2024
Start: 2024-12-06T08:00
Location: The Westin Buckhead Atlanta

Overview

The Georgia Emerging Technology Summit: Data & AI is a pioneering event tailored for state, regional, and local public sector leadership to delve into the transformative potential of emerging technologies, including AI. This summit offers a comprehensive exploration of the current state and future trajectory of technologies set to revolutionize public service delivery. Through a blend of innovation, regulations, hands-on technology demos, and compelling case studies, attendees will gain invaluable insights into how emerging technologies can enhance the lives of residents.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

As artificial intelligence gains momentum within state government IT, navigating the possibilities and challenges requires a careful, strategic approach. That’s the focus of the 2024 Georgia Emerging Technology Summit: AI/Data. In addition to exploring ways that AI can enhance service delivery and automate processes, we will examine the security measures and ethical guidelines needed to undergird its use. The summit’s compelling discussions and interactive sessions are designed for IT professionals as well as business leaders in state and local government. We hope you’ll plan to join us.

- Shawnzia Thomas, State Chief Information Officer and GTA Executive Director, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia

The responsible use of technology is crucial in addressing specific business challenges. At the 2024 Georgia Emerging Technology Summit: AI/Data, we will focus on the transformative power of artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of data privacy, ethical frameworks, and best practices. This summit offers a vital platform for state and local government leaders to discuss policy development that ensures AI adoption is both innovative and secure. Additionally, we will stress the need to train the workforce for effective and responsible AI integration. Join us as we collaborate to shape the future of AI, ensuring it meets ethical standards and addresses real-world business needs.

- Nikhil Deshpande, Chief AI and Digital Officer, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia

Speakers

Shawnzia A. Thomas

Chief Information Officer for the State of Georgia and Executive Director of the Georgia Technology Authority

Shawnzia A. Thomas has worked in Georgia state government for more than 13 years, with an emphasis on integrating technology to improve constituent services and better serve Georgians. In July 2021, she was appointed Chief Information Officer for the State of Georgia and Executive Director of the Georgia Technology Authority by Governor Brian P. Kemp.
Previously, Ms. Thomas served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services. Previously, she was Executive Director of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity and Director of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.
A native of Macon, Georgia, Ms. Thomas received her undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of West Georgia. She is a Commissioner on the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity’s Advisory Board and member of the Hospitality Ministry at Chapelhill Church in Atlanta. Ms. Thomas was named to the Atlanta Business League’s list of Top 100 Women of Influence for 2021 and received the 2022 Golden Gov: State Executive of the Year award from StateScoop.

Nikhil Deshpande

Chief Digital & AI Officer, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia

Nikhil J. Deshpande is Chief Digital Officer for the state of Georgia. He heads the Office of Digital Services (DSGa) under the Georgia Technology Authority.
Nikhil envisioned and led Georgia’s user-centric digital transition to an enterprise open-source web publishing system, GovHub. Under his direction, Georgia became the first state in the United States to use enterprise Drupal and meet special needs of constituents with a range of disabilities affecting vision, hearing, motion, and cognition, making GovHub Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 AA compliant.
Nikhil strongly advocated and set the framework for the use of social media for Georgia, back when using social media for government was not common. He established a presence for the state on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to quickly address citizens’ questions and concerns.
Prior to his career in digital government, Nikhil worked in advertising and digital media.
Nikhil has two master’s degrees in visual communications and Interaction Design from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB) and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). He served as adjunct faculty at the Atlanta campus of SCAD for 10 years, where he taught graduate classes in Interaction Design and User Experience.
Nikhil has won several national and international awards and recognition for his work in digital government. He was recently honored with Atlanta’s 40 under 40, an award recognizing 40 accomplished individuals under the age of 40.

Sharon Gai

Keynote Speaker and Author

Sharon Gai is an international female keynote speaker for corporations, associations and the public sector. Using her unique background from the east and west, she works with leaders worldwide to understand how to adopt AI into their workflows to increase productivity and efficiency. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has been the keynote speaker at TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, LVMH, Nestle, Ecomworld, and Etail. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She is also one of 2024’s RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Expert and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, ABC, CBC, CCTV, Techcrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor’s degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information and Knowledge Strategy from Columbia University.

Cassia Baker

Research Faculty and Technology Project Manager – Cybersecurity, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), Georgia Institute of Technology

Cassia Baker serves as Technology Project Manager – Cybersecurity & Research Faculty and within the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) area of the Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She uses her more than 10 years of project management experience to help small to medium-sized manufacturers improve their cyber hygiene requirements including working to secure the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) through compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). She travels extensively, teaching workshops as a subject matter expert, and consulting with businesses to provide cyber & physical security gap assessments.
Cassia’s background includes work with the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Center of Innovation for Aerospace (GDEcD COIA). At GDEcD, she served as Project Manager for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) grant initiatives. Her work centered on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), impacting a $7.6B defense sector in Georgia. Her work has included substantial international exposure, dealing with U.S Export laws including Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Before her work at GDEcD, Cassia worked in fine art auctions in Chicago, handling antiques, decorative arts, paintings, and diamonds. She was responsible for securing the largest diamond sold in the firm’s 40-year history.
In 2020, Cassia was appointed to the statewide Georgia Defense Industrial Base Task Force - connecting industry, academia, local, state, and federal governmental entities. Cassia is a frequently invited speaker, educating the public on cybersecurity, cyber policy, and CMMC 2.0. She currently serves on the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Cyber working group and The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Leadership Council.
Cassia earned a Bachelor of the Arts (B.A.) from Lake Forest College with a focus on International Relations and Art History.

Avik Batra

Managing Director, Accenture

Avik is a Managing Director within the Service Transformation practice at Accenture Song. He has more than 14+ years working with Public Sector clients to drive innovative service, digital, and AI transformations. He approaches all of his client's business challenges with diligence and commitment; looking to create practical solutions that produce better experiences.

Bill Curtis-Davidson

Director, Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology

Bill Curtis-Davidson is the Director of the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), a policy initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. PEAT helps to create a future where accessible technology is standard in all workplaces. Bill advocates for equity, inclusion, and accessibility in public and private sector efforts to develop policies, standards, and practices. Bill is a ForHumanity Fellow and ForHumanity Certified Auditor (FHCA) in Disability Inclusion & Accessibility, a certified IAPP AI Governance Professional (IAPP-AIGP), and a member of the Partnership on AI’s Global Task Force on Inclusive AI. Bill received a 2022 Service to the Citizen: Champions of Change™ Award and was named one of HDI’s Top 25 Thought Leaders of 2023, recognizing his impact in removing barriers to workplace inclusion for people with disabilities through accessible technology initiatives. In his free time, In his free time, Bill volunteers as a mentor in LGBT Tech’s PATHS Program, whose goal is to create visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals working in STEAM and empower LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to pursue their passions in STEAM fields. Bill has a master’s degree in digital media from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from the Atlanta College of Art (now SCAD Atlanta).

Cameron Fash

Director of Government Relations, Georgia Technology Authority

Cameron Fash is the Director of Government Relations for the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA). He works with federal, state, and local officials to promote cybersecurity, broadband, and technology policies. Prior to joining GTA in 2018, Cameron served as Director of Political Affairs for the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast, a private sector lobbyist, State Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development, and as a director of a national non-profit organization. Cameron earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Kennesaw State University.

Steven Ferguson

Managing Director, AIM: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, Georgia Institute of Technology 

Steven Ferguson is a distinguished leader with over 27 years of experience in the technology, manufacturing, higher education, and workforce development sectors. Currently, he serves as a Principal Research Scientist and Managing Director of Georgia AIM (Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing) at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In this role, Steven bridges the gap between industry leaders and emerging Industry 4.0 technologies, enhancing manufacturing processes through strategic AI integration. Additionally, he is the Executive Director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium, where he develops partnerships that help translate research into practice.
Previously, Steven dedicated 23 years to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), where he ascended to the role of Chief Information Officer. His tenure at TCSG was marked by numerous achievements, including architecting TCSG’s eCampus platform, pioneering the GEORGIA MATCH program, and launching the nation’s first micro-credential initiative for a 2-year college system.
Steven's innovative contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including being named a 2024 and 2022 Georgia Titan 100 Honoree and a 2021 Technology Leader of the Year. He was also recognized as the 2019 Georgia CIO of the Year. His efforts in digital transformation have been acknowledged with several Georgia IT Innovation Showcase Awards, highlighting his work and commitment to the citizens of Georgia.
Educationally, Steven holds an M.S. in Information Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University, a B.S. in Information Technology from Columbia Southern University, and an A.S. in Engineering from Gainesville State College. He is also a graduate of TCSG's Executive Leadership Academy.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Steven is an active community leader. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and volunteers for various non-profit and educational organizations.

Dr. Matthew Gombolay

Assistant Professor of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Matthew Gombolay is an Assistant Professor of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is the Director and Founder of the Cognitive Optimization and Relational (CORE) Robotics Laboratory. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Johns Hopkins University in 2011, an S.M. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT in 2013, and a Ph.D. in Autonomous Systems from MIT in 2017. Gombolay’s research interests span robotics, AI/ML, human-robot interaction, and operations research. Between defending his dissertation and joining the faculty at Georgia Tech, Dr. Gombolay served as technical staff at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, transitioning his research to the U.S. Navy and earning a R&D 100 Award. His publication record includes a best paper award from the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, best technical paper award from the Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI’22), a finalist for best student paper at the American Controls Conference (ACC’20), and a finalist for best paper at the Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL’20). Dr Gombolay was selected as a DARPA Riser in 2018, received 1st place for the Early Career Award from the National Fire Control Symposium, and was awarded a NASA Early Career Fellowship.

Andre Goodman

Associate Director of Enterprise Reporting, Georgia Institute of Technology

Andre Goodman is a seasoned leader at the intersection of data analytics, technology, and strategic decision-making. With over a decade of experience in business intelligence and data governance, Andre currently serves as the Associate Director of Enterprise Reporting at Georgia Institute of Technology. In this role, he leads transformative initiatives that turn complex datasets into actionable insights, driving innovation and excellence across the institution.
Andre's expertise spans the development of enterprise-level reporting frameworks, robust BI architectures, and advanced data analytics solutions. His leadership has been instrumental in large-scale implementations, enhancing interoperability and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.
Andre holds a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management. He is also a dedicated mentor and instructor, guiding multidisciplinary teams in the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program at Georgia Tech to develop advanced analytics and AI tools for higher education.

Jeremy Mathurin

Technical Specialist Manager, Microsoft

Rob Mikell

Vice President, Incode Technologies

Rob Mikell is Vice President of Public Sector for Incode Technologies, Inc. By leveraging nearly 20 years of experience in the identity field, Rob and his team are helping state and federal government agencies solve the identity fraud epidemic using advanced AI and machine learning solutions.
Rob previously served as Vice President of Civil Identity at IDEMIA, overseeing state government programs for digital and traditional identity credentials. He also led the first in-the-wild mobile driver license POC in the U.S. Before joining IDEMIA, Rob was Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Driver Services. While Commissioner, he served on the American Association of Motor Vehicles (AAMVA's) International Board of Directors and as President of AAMVA Region II.
Rob’s prior roles include Deputy Commissioner of DDS, prosecutor in metro-Atlanta, and private attorney. Rob graduated from The Citadel, Washington & Lee University School of Law, and Columbus State University with an M.P.A.

Spencer R. Moore

Commissioner, Department of Driver Services, State of Georgia

Spencer R. Moore, a native Georgian and career public servant of more than 27 years. He is the first African American and longest serving commissioner of the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) having first been appointed by Governor Nathan Deal in January 2017, and reappointed by Governor Brian P. Kemp in January 2019. Moore is a graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. In September 2023, Commissioner Moore was elected by his peers to serve as the Chair of the AAMVA International Board of Directors and now serves as Immediate Past Chair on the AAMVA Board. He is also on the Evidence-Based Cybersecurity (EBCS) Advisory Board at Georgia State University, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

Tyson A. Morris

Chief Information Officer, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

Tyson is an accomplished CIO with over 18 years of extensive leadership experience across corporate, government, and customer-facing organizations. He most recently led the Technology Department at The City of Chattanooga, TN. There, he supported all critical technology services for 21 city departments including the executive branch. He also led many significant transportation-related projects to transform Chattanooga into a model “intelligent city.”
Previously, Tyson held multiple pivotal roles at The Coca-Cola Company, where he spearheaded personalized digital marketing for North America, multi-channel eCommerce, AI and data science, and global advertising platform modernization. He was also responsible for the enterprise’s global digital marketing technology strategy. Tyson joined MARTA in 2024 and oversees all of technology for one of the largest transit authorities in the U.S.
His innovative leadership has earned him multiple awards, including the 2023 CXO of the Year, and was recognized in 2022 as a State and Local Government Champion by Amazon Web Services. Tyson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University, specializing in Management Information Systems, and actively contributes to various national technology boards.

Joss Nichols

Head of Compliance, Samsara

Joss is the Head of Compliance for Samsara, a platform provider that enables physical-operations organizations to use Internet of Things (IoT) data to improve their work. In that role Joss focuses on helping Samsara and its customers understand both the power and the risks of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in operational technology and how best to leverage data without unduly jeopardizing personal privacy. Prior to joining Samsara, Joss was a federal prosecutor in the US Department of Justice's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, where he guided federal agents and prosecutors on the proper collection of electronic evidence under governing privacy laws.

Brent O'Guin

Technology Strategist & Architect, Information Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology

Brent is a Technology Strategist and Architect at Georgia Tech, where he specializes in amplifying human intelligence and expertise with artificial intelligence. Holding a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Drexel University, his expertise spans technology implementation, data analytics, and continuous improvement. Brent has played a pivotal role in envisioning transformative AI-augmented solutions across various business and technology functions. At the core of his work is the philosophy that AI should augment, not replace, human capabilities, a principle he brings to life through practical applications and innovative solutions in his field.

Dr. Rose Procter

Executive Director, TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership, Mike Cottrell College of Business, University of North Georgia

Dr. Rose Procter serves as the Associate Director for Ethics and Compliance within the Office of Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance at the University System of Georgia (USG) and Executive Director of the TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership (TRUIST CEL) within the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia (UNG). Rose leads the TRUIST CEL K-12, University and Community programs. Rose’s leadership is instrumental in the Building Ethical Leaders (BEL) Leadership Development Program, the Ethical Culture Indicator (ECI) organizational culture assessment and several other leadership programs at UNG. Rose recently moderated the USG panel on “Ethical Considerations for a Data-Driven Landscape” for Chancellor Sonny Perdue. She has served in higher education for over 23 years, formerly serving at Kennesaw State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia (MIZZOU).
Procter recently graduated with her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership, having already graduated with honors from Park University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Social Psychology and her Master of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University. Rose also holds an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Her research is focused on institutional integrity. She is married, with four children and lives in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Arun Rai

Regents’ Professor and Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair; Director, Center for Digital Innovation, Department of Computer Information System, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University

Dr. Arun Rai is the Regents' Professor of the University System of Georgia and holds the Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair at the Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. He co-founded and directs the Center for Digital Innovation at GSU, leading initiatives that develop innovative digital and AI solutions to address business and societal challenges. These initiatives have engaged leading organizations across sectors including education, healthcare, high-tech, financial services, and supply chains.
His current work focuses on developing and deploying responsible AI solutions to maximize human and organizational potential while minimizing the risks. Endeavors include understanding the dynamic impacts of AI on jobs and skills, AI fairness, AI augmentation of individuals and collectives, and large-language model tutors for equitable student success in computing education, among others.
He is a recipient of the LEO Award for Lifetime Exceptional Achievement from the Association for Information Systems and has been recognized as an Influential Leader by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business for the impact of his research on business and society. He serves on the Georgia AI Advisory Council and is a member of the Generative AI committee of the council.

Jesse Roberts

Principal Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services 

Jesse Roberts is an AWS Principal Solutions Architect with 27 years’ experience as an engineer, analyst, architect and executive. At Amazon Web Services, Jesse serves as the Lead Solutions Architect for their State, Local Government and Education business in the eastern United States where he is enthusiastic about leveraging cloud technology to help address some of the biggest challenges of government and education. Prior to AWS, he worked for 21 years at Boeing and General Electric in various system and data architecture leadership roles after which he joined Maximus becoming their Vice President of IT Architecture. Jesse has a passion for leveraging technology and design thinking to help solve complex problems. Outside of IT, Jesse is a co-founder of the Rensselaer Repair Café and serves on the Board of Trustees for both Woodland Hill Montessori School and the Arts Center of the Capital Region. He mentors formerly incarcerated students in coding and technology as well as lectures on various topics through the Justice Through Code project at Columbia University.

Ed Setzler

Chairman, Senate Science & Technology Committee

Nishant Shah

Senior Advisor, Responsible AI, Department of Information Technology, State of Maryland

Kevin Talbert

Senior Solutions Engineer, Cloudera Government Solutions

Kevin Talbert is a dedicated Senior Solutions Engineer with Cloudera Government Solutions. He comes from an architecture background working with large, distributed data platforms, and designing customer-centric solutions for problems at scale. He provides technical expertise to customers looking to modernize their data stack and builds solutions to integrate Cloudera wherever they are on that journey.

Brad Thomas

Vice Chairman, House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee

Ananias William III

Chief Information Officer, Department of Revenue, State of Georgia

View Speakers

Agenda

Friday, December 6
8:00 am Eastern	Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area Grand Ballroom Prefunction
9:00 am Eastern	Welcome Remarks Grand Ballroom AB Shawnzia Thomas, Chief Information Officer, State of Georgia
9:05 am Eastern	Opening Remarks and A Shared Foundation for Public Sector Dialogue on AI & Data Grand Ballroom AB This interactive session will establish the groundwork for the day, including the morning workshops, by clarifying key AI concepts, their contextual foundations, and their significance within the public sector landscape. This foundational understanding will provide a common framework to enhance the depth and relevance of sessions throughout the day. This session will also include an update on Georgia's AI program and progress, offering insights on how to engage with the initiative. Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer, State of Georgia
9:20 am Eastern	General Session – Impact Spotlight: AI 4 Black Kids (AI4BK) Grand Ballroom AB Inspiring Black brilliance, one algorithm at a time, the AI for Black Kids Foundation (AI4BK) was founded to empower Black youth interested in AI. Established by AI enthusiasts and educators, the foundation addresses the critical under-representation of Black individuals in AI by providing resources, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences. Join visionary founder, Calvin D. Lawrence, alongside students from AI4BK’s AI Discovery Summer Camp, for an inspiring fireside chat exploring their journey, impact, and the pursuit of equity in tech. Moderator: Shawnzia Thomas, Chief Information Officer, State of Georgia Dr. Matthew Gombolay, Assistant Professor of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology Calvin D. Lawrence, Founder, AI 4 Black Kids Foundation
9:35 am Eastern	Keynote – Leading the AI Revolution: IT's New Role in Global Public Sector Innovation Grand Ballroom AB 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
10:25 am Eastern	General Session – The Legislative Perspective on Data & AI Grand Ballroom AB As AI technologies and the data that drives them become increasingly paramount to state considerations, this panel of state legislators offers crucial insights into the complexities of balancing innovative efficiencies with public welfare. Gain legislative perspectives on how the societal impact of AI and data is evaluated, along with the various considerations when assessing the roles of these emerging tools within the state. This dynamic panel will explore how public values and perspectives can be effectively integrated into the evolving narrative of AI and data transformation in governance. Moderator: Cameron Fash, Director of Government Relations, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia Representative Brad Thomas, Vice Chairman, House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee Senator Ed Setzler, Chairman, Senate Science & Technology Committee
10:45 am Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area Grand Ballroom Prefunction
11:15 am Eastern	Concurrent Workshops Navigating the EthicsDNA© Playbook through the New Waters of Emerging Technologies East/West Paces Room As AI increasingly integrates into public sector infrastructure, those responsible for procurement and deployment of emerging technologies must learn to harmonize values-in-tension in order to choose ethical policies and behaviors. This workshop will explore the ethical considerations specific to government applications of AI, such as public trust and equitable access. Participants will learn how to recognize competing ethical principles and resolve them as they develop their own “Ethical Playbook” for AI strategy. They will build ethical capacity to align the values of public service with their work as they: Ensure team members can balance creativity and continuity of practices and policies as they use GenAI technologies. Build trust among the stakeholders through meaningful consent and transparency. Attend to human needs by ensuring accessibility and eliminating bias while using the tools to enhance people’s well-being. Protect the stakeholders through creating systems of accountability, data privacy, and safety. Look to the future through risk assessment and considering the technology’s environmental, social, and economic impact. Workshop Leader: Dr. Rose Procter, Executive Director, TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership, Mike Cottrell College of Business, University of North Georgia Dr. Catharyn Baird, Founder of EthicsGame, and Professor of Business, Emerita, Regis University AI-Augmented Ideation & First Steps Grand Ballroom C This hands-on workshop will guide participants in identifying key challenges that AI can help address and brainstorming practical solutions using a mix of readily available AI tools and group collaboration. Participants will actively use Generative AI tools to explore AI-driven solutions and define the initial steps to bring those ideas to life. By combining AI assistance with human collaboration, participants will stay central to the creative process. Attendees will leave with actionable next steps for the ideas they generated, along with transferable skills for using AI in future brainstorming, decision-making, and problem-solving across other various contexts. This hands-on workshop is open to all experience levels, and attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops to fully engage in the exercises. Identify critical challenges that AI can address through hands-on brainstorming and collaborative discussions. Use Generative AI tools to boost creativity and build confidence in applying AI to future problem-solving efforts. Leave with actionable steps to begin designing and implementing AI solutions for real-world challenges. Workshop Leader: Brent O'Guin, Technology Strategist & Architect, Information Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology Daniel Zealy, Manager, Automation Services, Georgia Institute of Technology AI Adventure Quest: Practical Steps for Implementation and Adoption Grand Ballroom D Transform theoretical AI concepts into actionable strategies through engaging, hands-on activities. You will learn AI integration by developing strategic plans, preparing data, building models, testing solutions, and achieving successful adoption. This workshop will empower you to align AI strategies with business goals, tackle challenges, and ensure scalability. By the end, you will be equipped with the confidence and knowledge to manage AI-driven projects that drive long-term success and innovation within your organization. Workshop Leader: Scott Baker, AI Program Director, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia Harsha Musunuru, Managing Director, Deloitte Data Stewardship for AI: Knowing Where Your Data Stands Grand Ballroom E As AI becomes integral to decision-making, ensuring responsible data stewardship is critical. This session explores the best practices for managing, protecting, and ethically utilizing data in AI applications. Learn how the characteristics of the data we input into AI systems impact outcomes and shape our growing digital footprint. Participants will examine the importance of “stewardship” in fostering effective collaboration and data sharing for AI, covering: • Empower business ownership of data governance and stewardship to ensure data is managed and protected in alignment with regulatory standards and industry best practices. • Establish "trusted data sets" that maintain data accuracy, consistency, and completeness to enhance AI model training and outcomes. • Explore the data lifecycle stages alongside key tools and artifacts to support effective data stewardship practices for AI. • Understand the changes to types of data stores and management practices that AI, specifically GenAI, has introduced. • Define clear roles and responsibilities for creating, using, and reusing data sets, with a focus on robust metadata management. • Identify and address data gaps to reduce biases, enhance data accuracy and fairness in AI systems. • Communicate data-driven opportunities to leverage (or reuse) data in ways that serve the public good responsibly and effectively. Workshop Leader: Kanti Chalasani, Division Director, Georgia Data Analytics Center (GDAC), Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, State of Georgia Jesse Roberts, Principal Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services
12:45 pm Eastern	Lunch + Technology Demonstrations Grand Ballroom AB
1:45 pm Eastern	Concurrent Sessions Enhancing Data Sharing for Interoperability East/West Paces Room In today’s interconnected world, seamless data sharing and interoperability across various systems and platforms is essential for enhancing constituent services and driving innovation. This session will explore the critical role of data-sharing in improving public services, reducing costs, and fostering collaboration. We’ll dive deep into strategies to overcome procedural and technical barriers, navigate legal and policy challenges, and promote effective data integration. Gain valuable insights, tools, and strategies to enhance data interoperability while ensuring privacy and security. Moderator: Andre Goodman, Associate Director of Enterprise Reporting, Georgia Institute of Technology Avik Batra, Managing Director, Accenture Rob Mikell, Vice President, Incode Technologies Spencer R. Moore, Commissioner, Department of Driver Services, State of Georgia Kevin Talbert, Senior Solutions Manager, Cloudera Public Safety vs Personal Privacy Grand Ballroom D Governments face the challenge of enhancing physical security to protect public spaces and critical infrastructure while addressing concerns about privacy and the ethical use of surveillance technologies and biometric data. Emerging technologies, such as AI, surveillance cameras, facial recognition, IoT, biometric access controls, can vastly improve public safety measures but also blur the line between security and privacy. This session explores the fine balance between ensuring safety through physical security measures while respecting individuals' rights to privacy. Key topics will also include data retention policies, transparency, public trust, and community engagement. Moderator: Tetchjan Simpson, IT Group Category Manager, Department of Administrative Services, State of Georgia Cassia Baker, Research Faculty and Technology Project Manager – Cybersecurity, Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), Georgia Institute of Technology Tyson A. Morris, Chief Information Officer, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Joss Nichols, Head of Compliance, Samsara Henry Rutherford III, Chief Information Officer, Department of Corrections, State of Georgia Ananias Williams III, Chief Information Officer, Department of Revenue, State of Georgia Workforce for a New Era Grand Ballroom E As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) transform the workplace, governments must cultivate a workforce adept at leveraging these tools and committed to innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Public sectors struggle against the rest of the world to attract new talent and retain existing staff. Where can the public sector find new talent to fill critical roles? How can we effectively train and upskill our current teams to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech environment? How do we assess where to start and what to expect? This session will share creative tactics and strategies for building, retaining, and fostering a future-ready workforce. Moderator: Bill Curtis-Davidson, Director, Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology Steven Ferguson, Managing Director, Georgia AIM and Principal Research Scientist, Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology Tamara Mosley, Chief Human Resources Officer, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia Arun Rai, Regents’ Professor and Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair; Director, Center for Digital Innovation, Department of Computer Information System, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University Executive Briefing for Industry Partners (Industry sponsors only) Grand Ballroom C Hosted by: Shawnzia Thomas, Chief Information Officer, State of Georgia Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer, State of Georgia
2:45 pm Eastern	Networking Break in the Exhibit Area
3:15 pm Eastern	General Session – Inside Innovation: A Fireside Chat with Georgia & Microsoft Grand Ballroom AB Join this exclusive conversation with Nikhil Deshpande, Georgia’s Chief Digital & AI Officer and Microsoft as they explore the transformative potential of Microsoft Copilot to meet the unique needs of the public sector. This session will cover Copilot’s government-specific features, addressing critical considerations in implementation, service delivery, and dedicated support for public sector environments. Discover how Copilot can streamline services, enhance citizen engagement, and drive innovation in government operations. Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer, State of Georgia Jeremy Mathurin, Technical Specialist Manager, Microsoft
3:45 pm Eastern	General Session – AI and Data in State Governance: Perspectives Across the Nation Grand Ballroom AB This session provides a dynamic exploration of how states across the country are navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI and data transformation. Gain insights into how various states are evaluating and integrating these emerging technologies within their jurisdictions. What initiatives are they pursuing, and what expectations do they hold for AI and data in the public sector? The discussion will offer valuable perspectives on how states are shaping the future of governance in an increasingly data-driven world. Moderator: Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer, State of Georgia Tyson A. Morris, Chief Information Officer, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Nishant Shah, Senior Advisor, Responsible AI, Department of Information Technology, State of Maryland
4:15 pm Eastern	Concluding Insights: A Collective Path Forward Grand Ballroom AB Join leaders from the Georgia Technology Authority and state agencies as they provide a closing reflection on the day's discussions and insights. This session will reaffirm the strong support and resources available within the state's technology landscape to enhance public services. It will also emphasize that today's conversations represent the continued collaborative effort for the future. Scott Baker, AI Program Director / Innovation Lab, Georgia Technology Authority, State of Georgia Kanti Chalasani, Division Director, Georgia Data Analytics Center (GDAC), Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, State of Georgia Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital and AI Officer, State of Georgia Brent O'Guin, Technology Strategist & Architect, Information Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology Dr. Rose Procter, Executive Director, TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership, Mike Cottrell College of Business, University of North Georgia
5:00 pm Eastern	Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area Grand Ballroom Prefunction Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.
5:30 pm Eastern	End of Conference Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.