AI vs. AI: Navigating California's new frontier in defending innovation, trust, and the digital state - Thea Mann - Episode 173

Listen in this we as we sit down with Tricia Pridemore, Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission, who explores how public sector organisations can move beyond experimentation and turn innovation into measurable, lasting impact. Rather than focusing on pilots alone, the Tricia highlights what it takes to scale initiatives across agencies and embed people-centred outcomes into everyday operations. You will hear practical insights on linking strategy, operations and technology to real results, breaking down silos to align teams around shared citizen goals, and building internal champions to sustain momentum. The conversation also underscores the importance of leadership commitment and performance management in ensuring innovation delivers long-term public value. Tricia Pridemore, Commissioner, Georgia Public Service Commission For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

Join Thea Mann, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Data and Innovation, as she examines California's position at the forefront of global innovation — and at the centre of an increasingly complex cyber threat landscape. As artificial intelligence becomes a tool for both defence and attack, the conversation explores how speed, adaptability and strategic foresight will determine who stays ahead in an AI-driven security environment. Bringing together leaders from government, academia and industry, the session unpacks how California can use its innovation strength as a protective advantage — building AI-powered cyber resilience across critical sectors while embedding ethics, transparency and public trust at the core of future-ready governance. Thea Mann, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Data and Innovation For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

Listen in this week as Alberto Delgi Esposti, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Digital Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet WA explores how Western Australia is transforming service delivery through whole-of-government digital platforms, including ServiceWA, the WA Identity Gateway and WA.gov.au. It highlights how these connected platforms are reducing duplication, simplifying access and enabling smarter, faster and more secure services for the community. Through real-world agency case studies — from online firearm licensing and digital learner driver logbooks to streamlined student payments and environmental rebates — the episode demonstrates measurable impact in action. It also makes the case for why agencies should join the acceleration, showing how integration with shared platforms can lower costs, strengthen public trust and deliver seamless digital experiences that meet rising expectations. Alberto Delgi Esposti, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Digital Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet WA  For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co    

In this episode, we catch up with Rob Wilmot, General Manager and Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Canada about why AI is being positioned as a major productivity lever for government, particularly in Canada. Rob outlines the opportunity to move from pilots to real impact by applying AI to practical, high-volume processes and improving citizen experiences. The conversation also covers what it takes to scale responsibly: strong governance and security, a focus on a few initiatives that can be embedded across workflows, and tackling the biggest barrier of all, messy, siloed data. Rob's view is that AI will mostly augment public servants by shifting work away from repetitive tasks and enabling better outcomes. Rob Wilmot, General Manager and Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Canada For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

This week, we are joined by Sarah Soto-Taylor, Deputy Secretary of Strategic Development, California Government Operations Agency and Chris Given, Deputy Secretary for Technology and Innovation, California Government Operations Agency who explore why cross-functional collaboration is essential for turning innovation into real-world impact. By bringing technologists and programme leaders into the same conversations, organisations can ensure emerging tools are aligned with operational priorities and practical needs — not just technical ambition. We learn how to strengthen dialogue between technical and business teams, close the gap between capability and delivery, and create solutions that are relevant, usable and widely adopted. Listeners will gain insights into building more effective collaboration models that drive measurable results.   Sarah Soto-Taylor, Deputy Secretary of Strategic Development, California Government Operations Agency and Chris Given, Deputy Secretary for Technology and Innovation, California Government Operations Agency   For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co      

As data breaches become more common, governments need to be ready to respond quickly, clearly and in a way that protects public trust. Join  Arilea Sill, Chief Information Access and Privacy Officer, Province of Nova Scotia and Kathy Hartlen, Manager, Privacy Program, Province Nova Scotia as they delve into how the way an agency handles a breach can either undermine confidence or strengthen long-term resilience. Our guests look at practical ways to manage breach response effectively, strengthen privacy and information management, and build a culture that treats data protection as everyone's responsibility. Arilea and Kathy describe lessons from real public sector incidents, how to improve governance and staff readiness, and why transparent communication is critical to maintaining public confidence. Arilea Sill, Chief Information Access and Privacy Officer, Province of Nova Scotia, Kathy Hartlen, Manager, Privacy Program, Province Nova Scotia For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co      

In this episode, Shawnzia Thomas, State Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Georgia Technology Authority explores how Georgia is advancing digital transformation by weaving innovation into the fabric of everyday government operations. Shawnzia highlights how leaders are moving beyond pilots and positioning technology as a core driver of smarter, more responsive governance — with a clear focus on delivering outcomes that genuinely improve citizens' lives. From leveraging AI and automation to streamline operations and enhance engagement, to strengthening digital equity and inclusive access, Georgia's approach is both ambitious and practical. The conversation also unpacks how secure cloud adoption, Zero Trust strategies and scalable innovation models are helping build a more resilient, future-ready state. Shawnzia Thomas, State Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, Georgia Technology Authority For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

Tune in this week to hear Peter Floyd, Chief Digital Officer at the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, as he shares a practical and people-focused approach to making cyber security everyone's business. He explains why most cyber risk comes from everyday behaviours—not technology—and how organisations can lift awareness and capability across the workforce without extra budget or heavy technical language. Through real examples, Peter shows how short, engaging communications, humour, and simple behavioural nudges can dramatically improve cyber awareness and reduce risk. The episode offers clear, relatable lessons for public sector leaders looking to build a stronger security culture by meeting people where they are and making cyber relevant to their daily work and lives. Peter Floyd, Chief Digital Officer, Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

In our latest episode, David Shanks, Deputy Commissioner of Enterprise and Integrated Integrity Services at Inland Revenue New Zealand, explores how governments can strike the right balance between embracing technological innovation and managing risk. Drawing on personal experience across regulation, digital policy and emerging technology, he reflects on the opportunities AI presents — and the very real harms that can arise when innovation outpaces oversight. Through compelling real-world stories, David argues that opting out of technological change isn't realistic. Instead, public sector leaders must learn to move forward deliberately, paying close attention to early warning signs, lived experience and unintended consequences. The episode offers a thoughtful, grounded perspective on responsible innovation in an age of rapid digital change. David Shanks, Deputy Commissioner, Enterprise and Integrity Services, Inland Revenue NZ For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

In this episode we hear from Sarah Tuneberg, Director, Colorado Digital Services, as she unpacks what Wave 3 of the Digital Government Strategic Plan means in practice for agencies. She walks through key milestones, reflects on lessons learned from recent digital transformation efforts, and discusses how governments can move past long-standing challenges to deliver more innovative, citizen-focused services. The conversation focuses on helping organisations align their priorities with Wave 3 objectives, offering practical strategies to strengthen service delivery, improve outcomes for citizens, and accelerate progress through smarter collaboration and forward-looking approaches. Sarah Tuneberg, Director, Colorado Digital Services For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co