GovAI Coalition Summit 2026 Banner

Overview

About the GovAI Coalition

The GovAI Coalition includes members from over 900 local, state, and federal agencies in seven countries. The Coalition is united in their mission to enable public sector AI to serve the public good through resource sharing, standards, and advocacy.

The GovAI Coalition is committed to:

  • Using AI for social good
  • Ensuring ethical, non-discriminatory, and responsible AI governance
  • Promoting vendor accountability
  • Improving government services
  • Fostering cross-agency collaboration and knowledge sharing

Learn more on the GovAI Coalition website.


GovAI Coalition Town Hall Day

Attendance is limited to government representatives and staff.

We’re glad you’re joining the GovAI Coalition for its 2026 Town Hall on Friday, December 11, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The town hall will bring government AI leaders together to share real-world use cases, exchange lessons learned, and shape the future of the Coalition.

The event will feature lightning talks, a poster fair, strategic discussions on the future of the Coalition, and more. Coalition members are invited to share their work and insights with peers from across government.

Interested in presenting? Complete the Town Hall interest form by October 31 to be considered for a lightning talk or poster presentation.

A message from our Keynote Speaker

The GovAI Coalition Summit shows what is possible when public agencies come together with a shared purpose. By working openly and focusing on community needs, we can shape how artificial intelligence is used in government. San José is proud to host this summit and help lead this effort. We invite others to join this growing movement, where ideas, shared values, and practical solutions come together to build a future that benefits everyone. 

– Khaled Tawfik, Chief Information Officer and Director of the San José Information Technology Department, GovAI Coalition Board Chair

Speakers

Rumman Chowdhury

Rumman Chowdhury LinkedIn

AI Ethics Leader, Founder of Humane Intelligence, and Global Authority on Responsible Technology

Rumman Chowdhury, Ph.D.’s passion lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and humanity. She is a pioneer in the field of applied algorithmic ethics, creating cutting-edge socio-technical solutions for ethical, explainable and transparent AI. She is an active contributor to discourse around responsible technology with bylines in the Atlantic, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, MIT Technology Review and VentureBeat. She has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 in AI and Forbes Five who are shaping AI.
Rumman is a responsible AI pioneer developing cutting-edge solutions for creating ethical, explainable and transparent technology. A featured AI expert on the Netflix series, "What's Next? The Future with Bill Gates," she operates at the intersection of AI and humanity.
Chowdhury currently leads Humane Intelligence, a tech nonprofit pioneering Generative AI evaluation methods and opening up pathways for democratized algorithmic assessments. She is also the first person to be appointed the United States Science Envoy for Artificial Intelligence by the Department of State.
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Brendan Babb

Brendan Babb

Chief Innovation Officer, Municipality of Anchorage

Brendan Babb is Anchorage’s first Chief Innovation Officer, leading the city’s Innovation team to tackle big challenges with using data, human centered design and rapid prototyping. A longtime civic tech advocate, Brendan co-captains Code for Anchorage and has a background in mathematics, software development, and generative AI. Brendan holds five patents, including one from Mars Rover image compression research, and is passionate about applying responsible AI to improve government services.
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Tiffani Barton

Tiffani Barton LinkedIn

Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Procurement Strategist, NASPO ValuePoint

Jaren Johnson

Jaren Johnson LinkedIn

Platform Evangelist, Technology & Innovation, Infor

Jaren Johnson is a Platform Evangelist for the Technology and Innovation team at Infor. Jaren helps Infor's Public Sector clients and prospects explore the power of Infor's Industry Cloud Platform (Infor OS) through Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Process Improvement, Agents and overall Innovation. He is excited to help Infor's client base realize the value that can be obtained through these solutions.
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Fiona Kirby

Fiona Kirby LinkedIn

David and Lucile Packard Foundation / UC Berkeley

Fiona Kirby is a Program Research Analyst for the Democracy, Rights, and Governance Initiative at The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. In this role, she supports the team to advance a thriving, pro-equity democracy.
Prior to joining the foundation, Fiona was a management analyst in the City of Santa Clara’s City Manager’s Office, where she supported the Mayor and Council and City Manager’s offices. Previously, she worked as a grant writer at a local nonprofit and as a Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance. There, she analyzed the budgets of multiple natural resources departments, including CAL FIRE, and made recommendations on findings.
Fiona holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilizations from UCLA, as well as a Master of Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
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Ryan Kurtzman

Ryan Kurtzman LinkedIn

Technology Partnerships Officer, City of Long Beach

Ryan Kurtzman is the Technology Partnerships Officer for City of Long Beach Technology & Innovation Department. He leads the City's adoption of emerging technology, data privacy and AI governance, and strategic initiatives to support the exploration and delivery of new technology solutions to support more responsive, cost-effective, and accessible services. Prior to that, he served as the Smart Cities Program Manager and a Management Assistant for five years. His experience in Long Beach includes developing community programs, projects, and policies that leverage new and emerging technology to improve connectivity, mobility, digital equity, and economic outcomes for all residents.
Before that, Ryan served as a Policy Fellow for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti where he brokered partnerships and created program evaluation tools to advance the City's Great Streets Initiative and park equity goals. He graduated from UCLA with a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, and currently serves as Founding Board Member of the Gov AI Coalition and an Adjunct Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
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Andrew Ngui

Andrew Ngui LinkedIn

Chief Digital Officer, City of Kansas City

Andrew Ngui is an MIT-trained innovation leader and the Chief Digital Officer for Kansas City, Missouri, where he pioneers responsible AI and human-centered technology in local government. Named to Apolitical's global 2026 Government AI 100 list, Andrew focuses on transforming complex data into scalable, trusted civic solutions. He serves as a board member for the national GovAI Coalition and has spearheaded landmark tech partnerships, including piloting rapid damage assessment with Bellwether's novel AI at X, Google's Moonshot Factory. A multilingual strategist and certified change practitioner, Andrew brings deep expertise in navigating structural constraints to drive long-term public value.
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Ben Palacio

Ben Palacio LinkedIn

Senior IT Analyst, Public Sector

Ben Palacio is a Senior IT Analyst in the public sector. A CSAC-credentialed IT Executive and 2025 AI50 award winner, he brings a rare depth of experience across local, state, and federal government. His career spans roles at county and federal agencies, along with collaborative projects with state agencies, giving him a panoramic view of public sector technology. He specializes in artificial intelligence for government, chatbot ecosystems, and integration strategies that bridge legacy systems with modern platforms. His work in virtual agents, microservices, and PaaS architectures continues to streamline operations and improve accessibility across jurisdictions. The views expressed here are his own. He may be reached at ben.palacio@gmail.com.
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Danielle Carey Tolan

Danielle Carey Tolan LinkedIn

Deputy Mayor & Executive Chief of Staff, City of Westfield, Indiana

Danielle Carey Tolan serves as Deputy Mayor and Executive Chief of Staff for the City of Westfield, Indiana, one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. In this role, she works alongside Mayor Scott Willis to advance strategic initiatives, strengthen city operations, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
With a diverse background spanning private-sector business, agriculture, and public service, Danielle brings a practical, results-driven approach to leadership. Before joining the City's executive team, she served as the elected Westfield Washington Township Trustee and spent seven years on the Westfield Area Plan Commission.
Throughout her career, Danielle has served on numerous local, regional, and national boards and commissions, bringing together her passion for public service, economic development, agriculture, and innovation. She currently serves on the national GovAI Coalition Board and the Invest Hamilton County Board. She also holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Purdue University and an AI Mastery Certification.
A lifelong Westfield resident and member of a fifth-generation farm family, Danielle remains deeply rooted in the community she serves and believes meaningful progress comes through strong relationships, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace change.
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Stephanie Weber

Stephanie Weber LinkedIn

Senior Industry Lead, State & Local Government, Appian

Stephanie Weber is the Senior Industry Leader for State, Local and Higher Education Government, where she leverages her extensive background in both delivery and business development. Her career spans significant tenures at leading consulting organizations such as McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, NTT Data, and BearingPoint, as well as premier technology firms including Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Salesforce.
Her expertise is marked by a profound commitment to using technology to improve citizen interactions with government services, prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility. Her work encompasses leading transformational projects in cloud and application modernization, executing citizen engagement workshops, and implementing comprehensive customer experience mapping. These initiatives have significantly enhanced service delivery in sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and judiciary systems, ensuring that technological advancements translate into real-world benefits for communities.
Beyond her professional life, Stephanie engages deeply with her personal passions and community service activities. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she participates in mountain biking, stand-up paddling, hiking, and obstacle course racing. Her family life is vibrant, shared with her husband, four children, and a French bulldog. Demonstrating a commitment to societal contributions, she volunteers her time teaching computer literacy and supports efforts to retain at-risk students in school. Stephanie Weber’s holistic approach to her career and personal life exemplifies the leadership qualities valued in today's interconnected and dynamic environments.
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Agenda

Wednesday, December 9

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome Remarks and Gov AI Coalition Board Kick Off

Hall 3

Matt Mahan, Mayor, City of San Jose, CA

9:30 am Pacific

Thought Leadership Keynote

Hall 3

10:00 am Pacific

Collaboration Today, Tomorrow and After the Conference

Hall 3

One of our coalition leaders will map out a plan for how to collaborate within the conference, with the coalition and beyond.

10:15 am Pacific

Industry Partner Panel

Hall 3

Join industry leaders for a series of lightning talks followed by panel discussion, exploring real-world public sector use cases of AI in action. We’ll highlight innovative applications that make a tangible difference in government operations and service delivery. This showcase brings practical examples of AI driving efficiency, improving decision-making, and addressing critical challenges.

11:00 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

11:30 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Starting your AI Roadmap Today

Meeting Room 230A

AI strategy has moved from experimentation to implementation across agencies nationwide. What lessons have emerged over the last three years, and where should organizations focus next as adoption accelerates? This session explores how strategy has matured alongside the Coalition’s mission to promote public sector AI that serves the public good. Participants will walk away with the Coalition's starter guide to using AI along with practical insights on refining roadmaps, aligning stakeholders, and advancing AI in a way that delivers lasting public value.

Moderator: Rob Lloyd, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government and Center for Public Sector AI

Trace Caraway, Chief Information Officer, City of Leander, TX

Chris Pahl, Chief Privacy Officer, Santa Clara County, CA

Jaren Johnson, Platform Evangelist, Technology & Innovation, Infor

Rich Libby, Field Chief Technology Officer, SHI Public Sector

AI in Action: Proven Public Sector Use Cases

Meeting Room 230B

Real-world AI use cases are proving that technology can meaningfully improve operations and service delivery. Which implementations are delivering measurable outcomes, and what can be learned from partnerships between agencies and vendors? This session highlights a select number of vetted use cases, including examples like 311 object detection and financial modeling, as well as an examination of how they scaled successfully. Participants will walk away with the Coalition's updated use case library and identify what works, why it works, and how to replicate impact in their own organization.

Tania Jogesh, AI Engineering Lead, City and County of San Francisco, CA

Andrew Ngui, Chief Digital Officer, City of Kansas City, MO

Sukhie Patel, Senior Director of Data Solutions & AI Operations, Tyler Technologies

Ben Supple, Head of Global Public Sector Policy and Partnerships, ElevenLabs

The AI-Ready Workforce: Skills, Training, and Labor Impact

Meeting Room 230C

Successful AI adoption starts with people, not technology. How can organizations prepare their workforce for shifting roles, new skills, and the long-term impact of automation? Our panelists will share strategies for training, certification, and workforce development, while addressing challenges like burnout and change management. Participants will walk away with resources from the Coalition and other leading public sector AI training providers to upskill teams and build a resilient workforce ready for the future of work.

Moderator: Yingjie Liu, Director of Digital Learning Strategies, San Jose State University

Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, San Jose State University

Richard Oppenheim, Deputy Executive Director, Regional Government Services Authority, State of California

Rebeca Lamadrid, Chief Programs Officer, NobleReach

12:20 pm Pacific

Lunch

Hall 3

1:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

The AI Value Equation: Measuring Impact and Outcomes

Meeting Room 230A

Understanding the return on AI investments is critical to sustaining momentum and securing future funding. How should organizations define ROI, and what lessons can be applied from private sector models and early adopters? This session explores measurable outputs, efficiency gains, and sustaining buy-in during cultural growing pains. Participants will walk away with a framework to evaluate the success of AI deployments and how to scale valuable AI solutions.

Aaron Bushman, Procurement & Contract Specialist, Office of Economic Development, State of Colorado

Emily Royale, Assistant Director, Partners for Public Good

Stephanie Weber, Senior Industry Lead, State & Local Government, Appian

Agentic AI: The Next Frontier

Meeting Room 230B

Agentic AI is transforming how organizations approach automation, decision support, and digital work, but deploying systems that can act with greater autonomy requires new forms of governance and oversight. Speakers and participants will explore emerging use cases, lessons from early adopters, and the practical decisions agencies face when determining whether, and how to deploy agentic AI responsibly and effectively. Participants will walk away with the GovAI Coalition Agentic AI Governance Taskforce’s draft framework for a holistic approach to governing AI agents, including policy, privacy, cybersecurity, data, procurement, workforce, and risk-management considerations.

Moderator: Jonathan Behnke, Chief Information Officer, Department of Information Technology, City of San Diego, CA

Arti Tangri, Equity Data Lead, City of San Jose, CA

Shawn Pfaff, Sr. Manager, Enterprise Solutions Engineering, Smartsheet

Kiya Wilson, Principal AI Solutions Advisor, Granicus

AI Innovation Challenges: Building the Ecosystem

Meeting Room 230C

Innovation isn't defined by budget size; it's defined by the ability to solve meaningful problems. How can agencies advance AI initiatives while balancing risk, limited resources, and growing expectations? Leaders will share a problem-to-solution approach for identifying high-impact opportunities, launching innovation challenges, and engaging students to spark ideas for public-sector transformation. Participants will walk away with a list of potential innovation challenge prompts they could bring to their city.

Moderator: Sabra Schneider, Chief Information Officer, City of Bellevue, WA

Ryan Kurtzman, Technology Partnerships Officer, City of Long Beach, CA

Dr. Rupini Rangasamy Venkatachalam, Transportation Analyst, City of Tyler, TX

2:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Budgeting for AI: Planning Beyond the Pilot

Meeting Room 230A

AI investments are reshaping technology budgets and procurement strategies across government organizations. How can leaders plan for expanding AI costs, evaluate new vendor offerings, and avoid unexpected financial commitments as adoption grows? We'll discuss budgeting considerations unique to the public sector, including forecasting operational expenses, managing consumption-based pricing models, and negotiating both short- and long-term contracts. Participants will walk away with practical strategies for developing their sustainable AI funding plans.

Moderator: Tony Batella, Chief Information Officer and Director of IT, City of Oakland, CA

Nadia Hansen, Global AI Strategist, Salesforce

Cooperative Procurement and the Future of AI Acquisition

Meeting Room 230B

AI is evolving faster than traditional procurement cycles, challenging agencies to rethink how technology is evaluated and acquired. How can public-sector leaders streamline procurement while ensuring governance, transparency, and vendor accountability? Experts will explore cooperative procurement models, strategies for identifying AI capabilities embedded within existing products, and approaches for reducing procurement timelines without increasing risk. Participants will walk away with the Coalition's documents on Generative AI Cooperative Procurement and identify potential procurements in their agency that could benefit from the Coalition's cooperative approach.

Blaine Kuehnert, Societal Computing PhD Student, Carnegie Mellon University

Tom Amburgey, Chief Executive Officer, Euna Solutions

Tiffani Barton, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Procurement Strategist, NASPO ValuePoint

AI Surveillance and Public Trust: Drawing the Line with Your Community (Part 1)

Meeting Room 230C

AI-powered surveillance technologies are raising new questions about security, privacy, and public accountability. Where should government draw the line between protecting communities and preserving individual freedoms? Featuring law enforcement leaders, civil liberties organizations, and industry perspectives, this interactive session will challenge participants to examine competing viewpoints through real-world scenarios. Participants will walk away with a list of questions they can ask their community to define their unique balance of privacy and security.

Moderator: Onur Bakiner, PhD, MSc, Director, Technology Ethics Initiative, Seattle University

Lisa Rhodes, Partner, State and Local Government Advisory Public, Guidehouse

3:30 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

4:00 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

AI Enablement: Security, and Organizational Readiness

Meeting Room 230A

AI enablement requires a strong foundation of security, governance, and risk management to support responsible adoption at scale. How can organizations protect sensitive data, address evolving cybersecurity threats, and establish the safeguards needed to deploy AI with confidence? This session explores the critical components of AI enablement, including AI risk management, cybersecurity readiness, and the infrastructure required to securely support emerging technologies. Participants will walk away with the Coalition's upskilling playbooks, covering practical strategies for building a secure, resilient AI culture that enables innovation while protecting organizational and community interests.

Moderator: Brendan Daly, Chief Information Security Officer, City of San Diego, CA

Kari Johnson, Deputy CIO, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, City of Scottsdale, AZ

Ben Palacio, Senior IT Analyst, Public Sector

Building Support for AI: From Decision-Makers to Elected Leaders

Meeting Room 230B

AI adoption is increasingly influenced by legislation, governance requirements, and budget approval processes. How can technology leaders communicate the value of AI to elected officials, policymakers, and potentially non-technical stakeholders while navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory environment? This session explores the intersection of policy, funding, and innovation, highlighting the role of leadership education and stakeholder engagement. Participants will walk away with the Coalition's guide for what elected officials need to know about AI, co-developed with the National League of Cities and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Moderator: Danielle Carey Tolan, Deputy Mayor & Executive Chief of Staff, City of Westfield, IN

Molly Vogt, Innovation & Analytics Manager, Oregon Metro

AI in Public Safety: Use Cases, Privacy, and Prepared Solutions (Part 2)

Meeting Room 230C

AI is entering public safety organizations with the goal of streamlining operations and improving service delivery. Which applications are creating value today, and what safeguards are needed to protect privacy and community trust? Practitioners will share real-world examples involving police reports, drones, and other operational tools while discussing governance and implementation lessons. Participants will walk away with a holistic view on practical use cases in law enforcement, measuring their value and balancing privacy considerations.

Moderator: Gretchen Peri, Chief Technology Officer, State of Washington

Dan Healy, Captain, Police Department, City of Suisun, CA

Paul Joseph, Chief, Police Department, City of San Jose, CA

5:00 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

5:45 pm Pacific

End of Day 1

Thursday, December 10

8:00 am Pacific

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Hall 3

9:15 am Pacific

Inspirational Keynote – What is Intelligence in the Age of AI?

Hall 3

What constitutes true intelligence now that machines are designed to mimic human thinking? According to responsible AI pioneer and scientist Rumman Chowdhury, Ph.D., the meaning of intelligence hasn’t changed because the way we measure AI isn’t testing for what makes humans intelligent. Drawing from years of in-depth, on the ground research with AI both in the lab and in practice at organizations across the globe, Chowdhury points out that real intelligence extends beyond mere data recall or algorithmic efficiency. Energizing and dynamic, she advocates for a broader understanding of intelligence that includes ethical reasoning and emotional skills, encouraging leaders to reevaluate how they define, measure and value intelligence in machines and humans alike. Attendees leave this session empowered to embrace a holistic view that can enhance AI integration strategies with a broader, more inclusive understanding of intelligence that better reflects complex human capacities.

Rumman Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer, Humane Intelligence

10:00 am Pacific

Thought Leadership Keynote

Hall 3

10:30 am Pacific

Coalition Keynote

Hall 3

11:00 am Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

11:30 am Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

The Data Center Discussion: Balancing Investment and Responsibility (Part 1)

Meeting Room 230A

What should government leaders consider when evaluating a new data center in their jurisdiction? Experts will examine the advantages and tradeoffs of different deployment models while exploring infrastructure, costs, security, and scalability. Discussion points include economic development, environmental impacts, and long-term considerations. Participants will walk away with the Coalition's guide on considerations when permitting data centers.
AI-powered development tools are changing how quickly agencies can turn ideas into working solutions. When should governments build applications using emerging "vibe coding" approaches, and when does it make more sense to buy proven commercial products? Leaders will discuss the opportunities, risks, and governance considerations associated with AI-assisted development, including security, maintenance, scalability, and procurement impacts. Participants will walk away with Coalition tips on governing vibe coding, rapid prototyping, and deciding when to buy a solution.

Erica Garaffo, Strategic Energy Customer Development Lead, City of San Jose, CA

Ben Polsky, Stanford University Allies

Sustainable Solutions: Build vs Buy (Part 1)

Meeting Room 230B

AI-powered development tools are changing how quickly agencies can turn ideas into working solutions. When should governments build applications using emerging "vibe coding" approaches, and when does it make more sense to buy proven commercial products? Leaders will discuss the opportunities, risks, and governance considerations associated with AI-assisted development, including security, maintenance, scalability, and procurement impacts. Participants will walk away with Coalition tips on governing vibe coding, rapid prototyping, and deciding when to buy a solution.

Moderator: Nichole Sterling, Mayor, Town of Nederland, CO

Sean Bugler, Principal Innovation Lead, Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Kari Johnson, Deputy CIO, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, City of Scottsdale, AZ

Kaye Sklar, Head of Content & Insights, Open Contracting Partnership

Kate May, Agentic AI Architect, Granicus

AI and Cybersecurity: Tabletop Exercise (Part 1)

Meeting Room 230C

AI is reshaping cybersecurity, creating new opportunities for defense while also giving bad actors more sophisticated tools for fraud and scams. How can government agencies leverage AI to strengthen security without introducing new risks? Facilitated by experts, groups will examine AI-powered approaches to threat detection, fraud prevention, public records management, and secure information sharing. Key topics include cyber resilience and emerging threats. Participants will walk away with a response plan for the current AI threat landscape.

Moderator: Auston Davis, Chief Information Security Officer, City of San Jose, CA

12:20 pm Pacific

Lunch

Hall 3

1:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

The Data Center Discussion: Engaging Your Community (Part 2)

Meeting Room 230A

Data center proposals can raise complex questions about economic development, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, and community benefits. How can local governments engage residents early, communicate tradeoffs clearly, and ensure community perspectives meaningfully inform decision-making? This session will explore effective approaches to public education, stakeholder engagement, transparency, and responding to community concerns. Participants will walk away with lessons from the Coalition’s research on engaging communities in local government data center decisions.

Moderator: Fiona Kirby, David and Lucile Packard Foundation / UC Berkeley

Alice Siu, Associate Director, Deliberative Democracy Lab, Stanford University

Practicum on Building Solutions In-House (Part 2)

Meeting Room 230B

This hands-on practicum will introduce participants to “vibe coding” and demonstrate how government staff can use AI-powered development tools to turn ideas into working prototypes. Attendees will explore solutions already built by public agencies, access the GovAI Coalition’s Vibe-Coding Hub, and begin developing a solution of their own. Participants will walk away knowing how to get started with vibe coding and plug into the Coalition's vibe-coding hub.

Moderator: Jaime Wascalus, Director & Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology and Communications, City of St. Paul, MN

Brendan Babb, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Anchorage, AK

Julie Goebel, Innovation Program Manager, San Mateo County, CA

AI and Cybersecurity: Tabletop Exercise (Part 2)

Meeting Room 230C

AI is reshaping cybersecurity, creating new opportunities for defense while also giving bad actors more sophisticated tools for fraud and scams. How can government agencies leverage AI to strengthen security without introducing new risks? Facilitated by experts, groups will examine AI-powered approaches to threat detection, fraud prevention, public records management, and secure information sharing. Key topics include cyber resilience and emerging threats. Participants will walk away with a response plan for the current AI threat landscape.

Moderator: Auston Davis, Chief Information Security Officer, City of San Jose, CA

2:30 pm Pacific

Concurrent Sessions

Innovation Outside of AI: What Have We Missed?

Meeting Room 230A

While AI has dominated the conversation, governments have continued to innovate in areas ranging from infrastructure and city design to behavioral science and service delivery. What promising ideas from the past four years have received too little attention, and what can they teach us about solving public challenges? This session will spotlight practical, non-AI innovations that are improving communities and government operations. Participants will walk away with fresh ideas and proven approaches they can adapt within their own organizations.

Seth Goldstein, Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University

Open-Source MCP, Built Once and Owned by All

Meeting Room 230B

Every government is about to connect AI to its data. The question is whether to rent or own that connection. San José chose to own it. We built our own MCP server on an open standard, published it as open source, wrote the guidelines that govern it, tested every AI skill before it reached staff, and locked it down with our firewall team. It is live, governed and it’s safe! And because it's open, the next 900 agencies don't have to pay to build it again.

Ala’a Kolkaila, Service Innovation Fellow, Office of the Mayor, City of San Jose, CA

Permit Automation: From Application to Approval

Meeting Room 230C

Modern permitting requires more than digitization; it requires reimagining how work gets done. How are jurisdictions using AI automation tools to reduce delays, improve service, and create better customer experiences? Drawing from examples in state and local agencies, we will explore data requirements, integration opportunities, and lessons learned from real-world deployments. Participants will walk away understanding what parts of permitting they can automate today and how they can prepare their agency to automate more moving forward.

PJ Rodriguez, Chief Technology Officer, City of Bellevue, WA

Brant Birkland, Principal Director – AI Permitting Solutions, Archistar

3:20 pm Pacific

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

3:45 pm Pacific

Closing General Session

Hall 3

4:30 pm Pacific

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

West Lobby

5:15 pm Pacific

End of Conference

Friday, December 11

8:30 am Pacific

Public Sector Town Hall Day

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am Pacific

Welcome Remarks

9:10 am Pacific

AI Use Case Lightning Talks

10:15 am Pacific

AI Use Case Poster Fair

11:15 am Pacific

Group Discussion

12:00 pm Pacific

Closing Remarks

12:15 pm Pacific

Lunch

2:00 pm Pacific

End of Public Sector Town Hall

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

San Jose Convention Center

150 W San Carlos Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(800) 726-5673

Get Directions To
San Jose Convention Center

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: December 9-10, 2026 (Summit) | December 11 (Government Town Hall)

Open to Public Sector.

2026 GovAI Coalition Summit - Justification for Attendance

Summit Registration Fee per person: $200

Town Hall Registration Fee per person: $50

Registration by credit card only; no billing.

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.

Contact Information

Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:

Abigail Suiter
Government Technology
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1405
E-mail:asuiter@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) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

San Jose Convention Center

150 W San Carlos Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(800) 726-5673

Show Hotel & Parking

Room Block 

Hilton San José 
300 Almaden Boulevard 
San José, CA 95110 
Room Rate: $219/night, double or single
Rate Cut-Off Date: November 23, 2026 
To Make a Reservation:  
Phone: 408-287-2100 and reference GovAI Coalition Summit 
Online: Group Reservation Link 
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly for assistance. 
See Map and Directions here. 

Hyatt Place San José /Downtown 
282 Almaden Boulevard 
San José, CA 95113 
Room Rate: $219/night, single 
Rate Cut-Off Date: November 17, 2026 
To Make a Reservation:  
Phone: 1(800) 233-1234 and reference GovAI Coalition Summit or Group Code G-GOVT
Online: Group Reservation Link 
If you experience issues booking online, call the hotel directly for assistance.
See Map and Directions here. 

Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel; see below. 

Event Parking 

Self-parking: $45/day 
Note: No trailers or RVs allowed. 
Parking fees subject to change without notice.