AI is moving quickly into government, creating opportunities to improve services and efficiency while raising new questions about responsible use. Practical guardrails, governance and standards can give employees clear direction without slowing innovation. Panelists will examine how agencies can translate policy into practice, define appropriate use, assign accountability, evaluate AI tools and create an enterprise approach that can evolve as the technology changes.

Cyber threats are evolving fast, and AI is accelerating the pace. From ransomware-as-a-service and AI-powered social engineering to insider threats, legacy vulnerabilities and emerging post-quantum risks, government faces a rapidly changing security landscape. At the same time, agencies are adopting AI themselves, raising new questions about privacy, governance and appropriate use. The conversation will focus on the threats leaders should be watching, how AI is reshaping both attacks and defenses, and the practical guardrails organizations can put in place to innovate without increasing risk.

Aldo Humberto Romero, Ph.D., Director of Research Computing, Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University

Dave Tackett, Chief Information Officer, Secretary of State, State of West Virginia

As agencies adopt AI, knowing what data they have and how it should be handled is becoming even more critical. This session explores how government organizations are approaching data privacy, data loss prevention and classification so employees understand what information can be used, shared or introduced into AI tools. Panelists will discuss practical ways to identify sensitive data, strengthen protections and create a foundation that supports responsible AI adoption, with a look at how better data practices can also make appropriate sharing easier.

David Dyer, MPA, CPM, Chief Privacy Officer, West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management

Nathan Merritt, Cyber Risk Team Manager, Office of Technology, State of West Virginia

Digital accessibility is an increasingly important responsibility for government, but knowing where to start can be challenging. This conversation looks at what accessibility means in practice across websites, PDFs, internal systems and third-party platforms. Hear how agencies can prioritize improvements, clarify responsibilities between technology teams, content owners and vendors, and build accessibility into everyday digital operations rather than treating it as a one-time compliance project.

Misty Peal, Deputy General Counsel, Legislative Liaison, Department of Administration, State of West Virginia

Jeff Wilson, Project Management Office Manager, Office of Technology, State of West Virginia

Limited staff, tight budgets and aging technology can make cybersecurity preparedness feel out of reach. Learn how state and local agencies can strengthen readiness, prioritize the right investments, tap into grants and shared resources, and build partnerships before an incident happens. The discussion will cover what to have in place, who to call and how to make the most of limited resources when every dollar and staff hour counts.

Modernization is essential, but it can also be expensive, disruptive and difficult to sustain. Hear how leaders are balancing the cost of replacing aging technology with the growing risks of standing still. Panelists will discuss how to move from one-time upgrades to lifecycle thinking, prioritize what to modernize first, evaluate cloud and other emerging options, and make smarter long-term investments that reduce technical debt without creating the next generation of legacy systems.

Andrew Neely, Chief Information Officer, Office of Shared Administration, State of West Virginia

Join senior leadership from the West Virginia Office of Technology (WVOT) for an updated conversation tailored to state agencies that rely on WVOT services. The leadership team will provide insights into available tools, processes, billing, training, and best practices to help agencies streamline requests, enhance collaboration, and better align with statewide tech initiatives. This session is exclusively for public sector attendees.

Hosted by: Heather Abbott, Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology, State of West Virginia and Jeff Whitman, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Governance, Office of Technology, State of West Virginia