Workforce
‘Don’t be afraid to try’ AI in public health, state official says
Iowa and Oklahoma are seeing program efficiency and staff productivity gains as state agencies increasingly weave artificial intelligence into their operations.
Local government AI training needs workflow proofing
COMMENTARY | Training should be treated as the beginning, rather than the finish line, and judge what works after the excitement of being in the classroom fades.
Inside South Bend, Indiana’s journey creating a digital service team
The city’s digital service division used early successes to build a solid reputation in government, which has helped the team accrue long-term support for bigger projects, one official says.
How cyber ranges can help build trust in AI
The public and private sectors are turning more and more to closed environments to help prepare for a cyberattack. Experts said they can also build an understanding of AI and its capabilities.
Why ‘mundane’ uses are most effective for AI
COMMENTARY | The unglamorous tools that give employees time back in their day may not generate headlines, but they help get government moving more efficiently.
New toolkit aims to chip away at government hiring snags
Work for America has released new guidance on how state and local governments can better address and resolve common hiring painpoints.
Can an old dog teach an old man a new trick?
COMMENTARY | New tools should be an amplifier, not a replacement, for the work done by employees. AI should do the same, and be an upgrade to a working process.
AI is already on the job, and Census is keeping count
New U.S. Census Bureau data shows that AI is quickly becoming a routine workplace tool, while government leaders are finding that training, guardrails and employee-led experimentation can help turn everyday use into meaningful adoption.
New guide aims to help build digital service teams
Digital service teams are valuable to state and local government service delivery, but launching one is not always straightforward, one expert says. A new guide looks to assist officials in their efforts to create them.
Former county CIO reflects on lessons learned from decades in government
Steve Monaghan, the former CIO of Nevada County, California, said workers should be focused on building their organizational health, not just fixing the issues of the day.
Featured eBooks
I stopped being John Henry
COMMENTARY | Don’t mistake the swinging of the hammer for the building of the tunnel, like the 19th century steel-driver, when it comes to embracing AI in government.
How California can turn workforce data into actionable steps
State leaders must consider how workforce-related data can identify not only pain points but also solutions, one expert says.
Governors ban state employees from insider trading on prediction markets
More state leaders are either banning or severely curtailing workers from using nonpublic information to profit on the platforms amid worries of wagering on government actions.
Virginia nonprofit launches mobile tech education bus for underserved students
The cyber education bus is the latest way the nonprofit organization RFK Outreach will fulfill its goal to help children and teens learn about technology.
California has started to track AI-related job loss
While such insights can be helpful for protecting workers against negative impacts of the technology, decision-makers should proceed with caution when using such data, experts say.
The public-sector talent marketplaces that will fail
COMMENTARY | Most platforms degrade within three years, and rely on staff heroics and manual work. Treating it like long-term infrastructure, not a one-time purchase, is key to maintaining trust.
A ‘bottom-up’ and ‘in-house’ approach to AI workforce training gains traction in San Jose
The California city is seeing success — and increasing interest — in its AI Upskilling Program, which helps staff develop custom-built tools to citywide problems.
The workforce cliff: What happens when the last IBM i engineer retires from government
COMMENTARY | Many agencies still rely on mainframes, which are built on programming languages kept alive by a shrinking group of late-career specialists. This creates operational and cybersecurity risks.
Building cyber-resilient payroll systems in government
COMMENTARY | Cybersecurity needs to be built into everything that keeps government running, especially as payroll is one of the most critical systems in operation.
Massachusetts establishes nation’s first union for ride-hailing drivers
The state’s almost 70,000 drivers can now join the App Driver’s Union, following voter approval of the right to unionize in November 2024 via ballot question.
