New Jersey Digital Government Summit 2024 (2024)

Tuesday, May 21

8:00 am Eastern

Registration and Morning Refreshments in the Exhibit Area

George Washington Ballroom

9:00 am Eastern

Opening Remarks

Patriots Theatre

Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey

9:05 am Eastern

Welcome

Patriots Theatre

Lee Micai, President, NJ- GMIS

9:10 am Eastern

Keynote – Leading the AI Revolution: IT’s New Role in Global Public Sector Innovation

Patriots Theatre

AI is reshaping everything and IT leaders in government and public sector organizations stand at a pivotal juncture. Traditionally viewed as reactive and slower to innovate than the private sector, the public sector is now uniquely positioned to take a hands-on stance in AI implementation. To do that, we need to understand how IT departments can anticipate, and address business needs proactively. In this whirlwind session, digital transformation and AI expert, Sharon Gai, will take us on a journey around the world. Starting from the bustling streets of Hangzhou to the high-tech healthcare facilities of Tokyo, and finally to the classrooms of New York. Through this session, government leaders will understand the myriad ways AI is redefining society and be equipped with actionable insights, aiding them in harnessing the full potential of AI for the betterment of their communities.

Sharon Gai, Keynote Speaker & Author

10:10 am Eastern

Bits & Bytes – The New Jersey AI Taskforce

Patriots Theatre

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative force across industries, and its potential to shape the future of technology is undeniable. To harness the power of AI effectively, government must develop a comprehensive research and development plan that encompasses their vision, strategy, and implementation roadmap. In this session, we will spotlight the pioneering efforts of the newly formed taskforce dedicated to harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation, efficiency, and transformation in the great state of New Jersey public.

Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, State of New Jersey

10:30 am Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

George Washington Ballroom

11:00 am Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Change Makes the World Go Round

Patriots Theatre

Today, more than ever, organizations face the immense challenge of staying abreast of emerging technologies while adeptly navigating change. How can leaders effectively align their team’s expectations and preserve their organizational culture amidst rapid advancements? This session will answer this question and offer insights into managing organizational change both presently and into the evolving landscape of the future.

Moderator: Zach Patton, Chief Editor, Content Studio, Government Technology

Mira Lalovic-Hand, Ph.D., Professor, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rowan University

Charlie O’Shea, Eastern Regional Executive for State Government Strategy, T-Mobile

Find Them, Grow Them, and Keep Them

Stokes Library at the Historic Trenton Masonic Temple

As technology evolves, so does the demand for a workforce capable of supporting emerging technologies. The search for skilled staff has become increasingly vital and so has the need for innovative approaches to filling open positions within our teams. Where can the public sector discover new talent to fulfill these crucial roles? What proactive steps can we take now to invest in individuals who will be essential assets in 5-10 years? Join this session for an engaging conversation on how to build a team that will not only make an impact today but also for years to come.

Moderator: Ken Skeen, Conference Director, Government Technology

Laura Dugan, Executive Assistant, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, State of New Jersey

Rashmi Jain, Professor, Department of Information Management and Business Analytics, Feliciano School of Business, Montclair State University

There is Always Another Crisis

Delaware River Room (Lower Level, War Memorial)

Somewhere another disaster is waiting to happen. It might be nature’s wrath, a cyberattack, sudden upheaval, or a new pandemic. Decisions will have to be made at lightning speed to save lives, time, and reputations. Are there lessons learnt that benefit the team? When is enough, enough to avoid burnout? This session shares tools and strategies that enable quality decisions in the worst of conditions.

Moderator: Phil Bertolini, Senior Vice President, Government Technology

Michael Leland, Chief Cybersecurity Evangelist, SentinelOne

Mihir Mysore, Partner and Global Leader, Crisis Response & Resilience, McKinsey & Company

Donald Eckel, Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Health, State of New Jersey

Designing the Future of “The Garden State Experience”

Turning Point Conference Room (1st Floor, War Memorial)

Today’s Government must focus on its constituents when designing new accessible services and products. This “design thinking” includes investing in programs to connect both rural and urban areas with the best technology. Are the right strategies in place to ensure digital equity is happening? This session explores how design thinking can be encouraged and tailored for public sector problem solving while providing maximum accessibility for all.

Moderator: Joseph Rivera, Manager of Broadband Access, Office of Broadband Connectivity, State of New Jersey

Crystal Peñalosa, Digital Product Lead, Resident Experience, New Jersey Office of Innovation

Will Porter, Director, Sussex County Library

Jon Rainer, Sales Director, Northeast Public Sector, Cradlepoint

12:00 pm Eastern

Lunch

Grand Parlor at the Historic Trenton Masonic Temple

1:15 pm Eastern

Concurrent Sessions

Empowering Citizens: AI and Public Engagement

Patriots Theatre

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, leveraging AI technologies presents unparalleled opportunities to foster meaningful dialogue, enhance transparency, and promote inclusive decision-making processes within government agencies. How can the public sector ensure that there is an inclusive, responsive, and citizen-centric approach to digital governance in the AI era? This session will spotlight innovative approaches and best practices for harnessing the power of AI to facilitate dynamic public engagement initiatives across domain, from policy development and service delivery to community outreach and civic participation.

Moderator: Suzanne J Piotrowski, Professor and Director, Transparency and Governance Center, Rutgers University

Lauren Farese, Group Vice President - SLED | Solution Engineering, Oracle

Ruthie Nachmany, Product Manager, Residence Experience Initiative, Office of Innovation, State of New Jersey

Will Payne, Public Informatics and Planning Faculty, Rutgers University

Gretchen Peri, Managing Director; Public & Social Impact, Slalom

AI Governance in the Digital Landscape

Stokes Library at the Historic Trenton Masonic Temple

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and governance stands at a crucial point. How can governments strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring ethical and responsible use of AI technologies in public service? How can governments collaborate with industry stakeholders to establish transparent mechanisms for monitoring AI algorithms used in public decision-making processes? In this session, we’ll explore the challenges, opportunities, and best practices in governing AI within the public sector.

Moderator: Marc Pfeiffer, Associate Director, Bloustein Local, Center for Urban Policy Research, Rutgers University

Romelia Flores, Public Sector, IBM Distinguished Engineer, Master Inventor

Bernadette Kucharczuk, CGCIO, Foundation Board Member, NJ GMIS

Securing the Future – Artificial Intelligence in Government Security

Turning Point Conference Room (1st Floor, War Memorial)

As government confront evolving threats in the digital age, the strategic integration of AI technologies emerges as a cornerstone for safeguarding critical infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and fortifying national security frameworks. How can governments balance the imperatives of national security with individual privacy, rights and liberties? What frameworks and standards are needed to govern the responsible use of AI in security contexts? Join this session where we will discuss the transformative role of AI in bolstering government security initiatives and mitigating emerging cyber risks.

Moderator: Zach Patton, Chief Editor, Content Studio, Government Technology

Michael Geraghty, Director of Cybersecurity and State Chief Information Security Officer, State of New Jersey

Peter Steyaert, Sr. Solution Architect Manager, Fortinet

Mary Strain, AI/ML Lead, Worldwide Public Sector, Amazon Web Services

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Delaware River Room (Lower Level, War Memorial)

Hosted by: Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of New Jersey

2:15 pm Eastern

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

George Washington Ballroom

2:40 pm Eastern

Featured Speaker – The State of AI in GovTech: Exploring the Future and Charting the Course

Patriots Theatre

Presented by the Center for Public Sector AI, this keynote presentation delves into the present status of Artificial Intelligence in the GovTech sector, offering a detailed examination of AI's applications within state and local governments. We will explore AI's potential future paths in GovTech, highlighting emerging trends and discussing how technology and policy leaders can prepare for AI's impact on service delivery. We will address starting points for AI implementation, stressing the importance of collaboration, ethical considerations, and equitable technology access. This forward-looking talk will equip attendees with a thorough understanding of AI's trajectory in GovTech, providing practical insights to effectively leverage AI for public sector innovation and advancement.

Phil Bertolini, Senior Vice President of Events, Government Technology

3:40 pm Eastern

Bits & Bytes – Securing the State: Exploring the New Jersey’s 72-Hour Cyber Incident Reporting Law

Patriots Theatre

In response to the evolving threat landscape and the imperative for swift action, New Jersey has taken a proactive stance by implementing this crucial legislation for public schools, local and state government, and government contractors to report cyber incidents within 72 hours. Join this session and hear how the Garden State is enabling faster incident response and mitigation strategies.

Michael Geraghty, Director of Cybersecurity and State Chief Information Security Officer, State of New Jersey

4:00 pm Eastern

New Jersey Excellence in Technology Awards

Patriots Theatre

Hosted by: Christopher Rein, Chief Technology Officer, Office of Information Technology, State of New Jersey

4:20 pm Eastern

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

George Washington Ballroom

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

5:00 pm Eastern

End of Conference

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