Arrive and network with senior state and federal officials from across the United States and their international peers. 

A welcome introduction from Global Government Forum's moderator and government expert. 

Some states across the United States have developed mature digital strategies and delivery frameworks, while others are in the earlier stages. This session will bring together chief information officers, chief digital officers, and transformation directors from states across the US to discuss how they are delivering on their transformation visions.  

Key questions for discussion: 

• How do you build a transformation mandate that outlasts a single administration? 

• What governance models are proving most effective at state level? 

• How are states co-ordinating with federal agencies on shared transformation goals? 

• Where have you met the most resistance, and how have you responded? 

• What has worked in driving change in your government – and how would you characterise the lessons from this? 

This session will provide a frank discussion on the practical realities of embedding AI in government. Leaders will discuss how to move from small-scale trials to organisation-wide deployment; how to ensure that AI is safe, explainable, and aligned with public values; and how to build the internal cultures and governance frameworks needed to use AI responsibly at scale. 

Key questions for discussion: 

• What conditions make AI pilots succeed – and what makes them stall before they scale? 

• What learnings come from failed pilots, and what risks need to be embraced? 

• How are states navigating the patchwork of federal AI guidance and their own governance requirements? 

• What does 'responsible AI' look like in a state government context? 

• How do you bring frontline public servants along on the AI journey, rather than leaving them behind? 

This session will examine what state governments are doing to build the capabilities their organisations need: from recruiting specialist digital and data talent, to reskilling existing public servants, to building the leadership and change management skills to retain talent and drive transformation from the top. 

Key questions for discussion: 

• What are the most critical skills gaps states are facing, and how are they addressing them? 

• How do you retain digital talent in competition with the private sector? 

• What does a modern digital learning and development offer look like for public servants? 

• How are you upskilling senior leaders who may not have a digital background to lead digital transformation effectively? 

From ransomware attacks and extreme weather events to economic shocks and public health crises, state governments face a growing range of threats to their ability to deliver services. Building resilience – the capacity to absorb disruption and recover quickly – has become a strategic priority for digital and technology leaders. 

This session will allow participants to discuss how they are assessing and managing risk, strengthening cybersecurity, and building the operational continuity that protects both services and residents. 

Key questions for discussion: 

• How are states balancing the drive for digital transformation with the need for resilience and continuity? 

• What are the most significant cybersecurity threats states are currently managing, and what is working? 

• How do you build resilience into digital services from the design stage, rather than retrofitting it?  

• What role can mutual aid agreements and interstate co-operation play in boosting resilience? 

Participants are invited to join the open conference reception the following evening.