The Emerging Technology Summit 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 gain invaluable insights into how emerging technologies can enhance the lives of community members.
Thursday, November 20 |
|
8:00 am Eastern |
Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit AreaGeorgia Prefunction Foyer |
9:00 am Eastern |
Welcome RemarksGeorgia BallroomShawnzia Thomas, Chief Information Officer, State of Georgia |
9:05 am Eastern |
Opening Remarks: Georgia’s AI Horizon - Progress, Possibilities, and ParticipationGeorgia BallroomKick off the Emerging Tech Summit with Nikhil Deshpande, Georgia’s Chief Digital and AI Officer, as he shares how the state is turning responsible AI principles into real results. This session offers a clear look at Georgia’s enterprise AI program; what’s been achieved, what’s ahead, and how agencies, academia, and industry can take part. Get concise updates on how Georgia is advancing AI governance, upskilling its workforce, and accelerating innovation through the Horizons Innovation Lab, where agencies test and validate solutions alongside pre-qualified partners. Nikhil will also outline near- and mid-term priorities that connect strategy to action from safe experimentation environments to pathways for scaling successful pilots. Attendees will leave with a grounded understanding of Georgia’s AI momentum and practical ways to engage—through challenge intake, co-development sprints, or evaluation sandboxes to help shape the next chapter of responsible public-sector innovation. Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital and AI Officer, State of Georgia |
9:45 am Eastern |
Keynote – The Future of AIGeorgia BallroomHow can your organization harness the power of artificial intelligence without sacrificing ethics, trust, or long-term value? Together we will explore how industries are evolving with generative and applied AI while spotlighting real-world case studies that move beyond the hype. She offers a clear, actionable framework to scale AI responsibly, mitigating bias, protecting privacy, and fostering innovation that complements human ingenuity. Discover how to translate excitement into execution and ensure your AI investments drive meaningful, sustainable growth. Noelle Russell, Leading AI Innovator & Practitioner, Founder & Chief AI Officer at AI Leadership Institute |
10:45 am Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaGeorgia Prefunction Foyer |
11:15 am Eastern |
Concurrent WorkshopsPutting Principles into Practice with AI EthicsAtlanta AIs your agency equipped to make ethical choices about AI adoption? This workshop explores frameworks for fairness, accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in government applications. Participants will work through practical examples of where ethics matter most, from bias in data to decision-making in high-stakes services and leave with strategies to guide responsible AI use across programs. Facilitator: Helen Kang, National Conference Director, Government Technology Presenter: Dr. Rose Proctor, Director Truist Center for Ethical Leadership, University of North Georgia Presenter: Josiah Raiche, Chief Data & Artificial Intelligence Officer, State of Vermont From Ideas to ActionAtlanta BWhat's the first step in moving AI from buzzword to real impact? Join in the brainstorming on how to prioritize and develop roadmaps tailored to their agency's specific needs. You'll identify opportunities where AI can deliver quick wins, while also laying the foundation for long-term adoption. Is your organization ready to take its first confident steps toward AI transformation? Facilitator: Steve Towns, Vice President of Content Strategy, e.Republic Presenter: Clarence Anthony Jr., Group Manager, Services & IT, Department of Administrative Services, State of Georgia Presenter: Kelly Miller Smith, Principal, Deloitte Consulting AI in Action: Building Momentum for Sustainable AdoptionPeachtreeIs your agency struggling to move from pilot to production? Many teams start strong but stall when scaling AI solutions. This session explores practical steps to move beyond proof-of-concept, including governance frameworks, workforce engagement, vendor partnerships, and funding models that drive long-term success. Learn how to translate vision into action and ensure your AI projects deliver measurable value to your agency and your citizens. Presenter: Brent O’Guin, AI Technology Strategist & Architect, GA Institute of Technology Knowing Where Your Data StandsBuckheadDo you know if your agency's data is ready for AI? High-quality, well-governed data is the foundation of practical tools. Here we will guide participants through assessing data maturity, strengthening stewardship practices, and identifying gaps that hinder the effective use of AI. Participants will leave with actionable steps to ensure their data environments are prepared for secure, ethical, and impactful AI integration. Facilitator: Tammy Scott, Office Director (PMO), Georgia Technology Authority Presenter: Amy Bhika, Chief Data Officer, State of Colorado Presenter: Kanti Chalasani, Director, Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, State of Georgia Presenter: Srinivasan Kannabiran, Deputy Director, Department of Human Services, State of Georgia |
12:15 pm Eastern |
LunchGeorgia Ballroom |
1:15 pm Eastern |
Impact Non-Profit SpotlightGeorgia BallroomModerator: Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital and AI Officer, State of Georgia Mayor Michael Caldwell, City of Woodstock |
1:30 pm Eastern |
General Session – Balancing Innovation and Impact: The Social Side of AIGeorgia BallroomArtificial intelligence is transforming how we live, work, and interact, but its impact goes far beyond technology. From reshaping the workforce to influencing trust, equity, and access, AI is raising urgent social questions. This session examines the real-world effects of AI adoption, including ethical considerations, bias in algorithms, data privacy, and the digital divide. Learn how public leaders, vendors, and communities can collaborate to maximize benefits while minimizing unintended harm. Leave with practical strategies for building AI initiatives that serve people first, ensuring innovation drives inclusion, fairness, and long-term public trust. Rajendra Gangavarapu, Chief Data & AI Officer, AI Strategy, GenAI, Governance & Financial Services Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author, and Strategic Advisor Dr. Rose Procter, Director Truist Center for Ethical Leadership, University of North Georgia |
2:00 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaGeorgia Prefunction Foyer |
2:30 pm Eastern |
Concurrent SessionsProtecting Data in the Age of AI: Cybersecurity and the Rise of AI Threat ActorsAtlanta AIn the age of AI, protecting your agency’s data and environments is more critical than ever. Artificial intelligence is no longer just a defensive tool; it’s also in the hands of adversaries. From AI-driven anomaly detection and automated response to AI-generated phishing and deepfake attacks, the cyber landscape is shifting rapidly. How can agencies harness AI to strengthen defenses while also anticipating and mitigating the risks posed by AI-enabled threat actors? This session examines the alignment of cybersecurity strategies with the evolving threat of malicious AI use, providing practical steps to safeguard data, build resilience, and foster trust in digital government. Moderator: Helen Kang, National Conference Director, Government Technology Cassia Baker, Research Faculty and Technology Project Manager, Georgia Institute of Technology Steve Hodges, Chief Information Security Officer, Georgia Technology Authority John McLain, Project Lead, Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, Augusta University Reskilling for the FutureAtlanta BIs your workforce ready to thrive alongside AI? Age diversity, varying skill levels, and shifting roles create both challenges and opportunities. Learn how AI can support, rather than replace, public servants by enabling new efficiencies and enhancing citizen services. Through practical examples, participants will see how agencies can upskill and reskill staff, integrate human judgment with AI tools, and build a future-ready workforce. Moderator: Oneisha Freeman Rojales, Digital Connectivity Manager, Georgia Technology Authority Clarence Anthony Jr., Group Manager, Services & IT, Department of Administrative Services, State of Georgia Tim Brown, Academic Program Director for AI, Georgia Institute of Technology Kyle Jones, Training & Development Manager, Georgia Technology Authority, Office of Human Resources Rao Manekar, Senior Manager, Digital Innovation Services, GDC-OIT Building the Foundation for Emerging Tech with DataPeachtreeEmerging technologies are only as effective as the data fueling them. For public sector leaders, harnessing this potential means going beyond access; it requires trust, effective governance, and strategic alignment. This session explores how to strengthen data quality, accessibility, and integrity to power innovation responsibly. Gain insights on preparing your data strategy for next-generation tools, navigating digital readiness, and applying ethical practices. Moderator: Jasmyne Epps, Unit director GovHub, Georgia Technology Authority Salome Deka, Senior Business Intelligence Lead, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, State of Georgia Jaya Krishnan, Chief Data Strategist, Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, State of Georgia Libin Makkalikkal, Senior Technology Consultant, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, State of Georgia Executive Briefing for Industry Partners (Industry sponsors only)BuckheadHosted By: Shawnzia Thomas, Chief Information Officer, State of Georgia Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital and AI Officer, State of Georgia |
3:30 pm Eastern |
Networking Break in the Exhibit AreaGeorgia Prefunction Foyer |
4:00 pm Eastern |
Concluding Insights: Charting Georgia's Tech FutureGeorgia BallroomAs we close the 2025 Emerging Tech Summit, leaders from the Georgia Technology Authority and partner agencies will reflect on the day's key discussions and shared learnings. This session underscores Georgia's commitment to driving innovation, strengthening resilience, and responsibly adopting emerging technologies to enhance public services. More than a conclusion, it's a call to action, reminding us that today's dialogue is the foundation for tomorrow's collaboration, innovation, and progress across the state. Moderator: Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital and AI Officer, State of Georgia Jason McSwain, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Operations and Chief Information Officer, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, State of Georgia Clark Rainer, Chief Information Office, Office of the Attorney General, State of Georgia Ananias Williams, Chief Information Officer, Department of Revenue, State of Georgia |
4:30 pm Eastern |
Networking Reception in the Exhibit AreaGeorgia Prefunction FoyerNetwork with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors. |
5:00 pm Eastern |
End of ConferenceConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change. |
590 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
Cassia Baker
Research Faculty and Technology Project Manager - Cybersecurity
Georgia Institute of Technology
Margie Crawford
Director of Software
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
State of Georgia
Salome Deka
Business Intelligence Lead / Data Engineer
Data Analytics Center, Governor's Office of Planning & Budget
State of Georgia
Nikhil Deshpande
Chief AI and Digital Officer
Georgia Technology Authority
State of Georgia
Shirlan Johnson
Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Technology, Department of Human Services
State of Georgia
Rao Manekar
Web Services Manager
Office of Information Technology, Department of Corrections
State of Georgia
Jason McSwain
Director, Office of Information Technology, Chief Information Officer
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
State of Georgia
Tyson Morris
Chief Information Officer
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
Brent O'Guin
AI Technology Strategist and Architect
Information Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
Rose Procter
Director, TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership
Mike Cottrell College of Business
University of North Georgia
Arun Rai
Regents’ Professor and Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair; Director, Center for Digital Innovation
Department of Computer Information Systems
Georgia State University
Deborah Rollins
Communications Director
Georgia Technology Authority
State of Georgia
Jason Sankey
Chief Information Officer
City of Atlanta
Tetchjan Simpson
IT Group Category Manager
Department of Administrative Services
State of Georgia
Mohan Sundareswaran
Assistant Deputy Commissioner For Architecture , Infrastructure and Data
Department of Human Services
State of Georgia
Takiyah J Thomas
Digital Equity Administrator
Information Technology
Clayton County Board of Commissioner
Les Thomassen
Communications Analyst, Service Management Organization
Georgia Technology Authority
State of Georgia
Open to Public Sector only.
Registration - Free
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:
Amanda Wallace
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1315
E-mail: awallace@erepublic.com
Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:
Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
A Division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!
Heather Earney
Government Technology
A Division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com