Dec. 31, 2024

#185: Seattle on Managing the 'AI Glitter Bomb'

#185: Seattle on Managing the 'AI Glitter Bomb'
The Public Sector Show by TechTables
#185: Seattle on Managing the 'AI Glitter Bomb'

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FEATURING:

* Ginger Armbruster, Chief Privacy Officer, City of Seattle IT

* Ed Odom, Race and Social Justice Lead, City of Seattle IT

* Ana LaNasa-Selvidge, Organizational Change Management Lead, City of Seattle IT

* Greg Smith, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Seattle IT

* Michael Cruz, Director of Data and AI, SLED, Microsoft

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

* How the City of Seattle is approaching AI adoption with a focus on responsible use, data privacy, and equity.

* The unique privacy challenges AI poses for city governments, especially concerning data protection and maintaining public trust.

* Why organizational change management is essential for the successful implementation of new technologies and securing employee buy-in.

* Strategies for identifying and addressing potential biases in AI systems and guaranteeing equitable service delivery for all communities.

* The importance of collaboration and transparent communication in navigating the complexities of AI and cybersecurity in the public sector.

LINKS MENTIONED

* Government AI Coalition

* Department of Homeland Security's AI Safety and Security Board

* Microsoft Copilot

* City of Seattle Privacy Program

* Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative

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