Overview

July 23

Artificial intelligence is transforming how government agencies deliver services—but successful implementation takes more than just new technology. It requires clear strategy, strong governance, and collaboration across departments and disciplines.

In this installment of Ask the Experts, a practical webinar series from Government Technology and IBM, featuring candid conversations with public sector leaders and AI experts who are putting innovation into action. In this episode, we’ll hear from Steven Hintze, Chief Data and Product Officer at the Arizona Department of Child Safety, who has led one of the most ambitious AI-informed modernization efforts in the country.

Hintze will share how Arizona DCS is using data and human-centered design to improve outcomes for families and empower frontline staff — while navigating complex issues like information governance, CCWIS modernization, and change management. He’ll offer practical takeaways on building a culture of psychological safety, aligning stakeholders, and designing AI solutions that are both ethical and effective.

Whether your agency is just beginning its AI journey or working to scale proven tools, this session offers grounded insight and real-world strategies to help you deploy AI responsibly, sustainably, and in service of the public good.

Speakers

Steven Hintze

Chief Data and Product Officer at Arizona Department of Child Safety

Steven Hintze is the Chief Data and Product Officer at Arizona Department of Child Safety in this role he leads the agency strategy and product development efforts driving innovation and modernization across child safety services with a focus on leveraging data as a strategic asset. Steven is passionate about building human centric solutions that improve outcomes for families and empower field specialists. He brings experience and CCWIS, information governance implementation, and psychological safety within organizational leadership and change. Steven is committed to sharing practical approaches and Lessons Learned From Arizona's DCS Journey with improvements, including the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems, to help other human service agencies navigate similar challenges and opportunities

Neal Fishman

IBM Distinguished Engineer and an Open Group Distinguished Architect, IBM

Neal Fishman is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and an Open Group Distinguished Architect. He leads the Public Sector Architecture team for IBM Consulting. Neal has penned many of his insights in a series of books, including Semantic Modeling, Enterprise Architecture Using the Zachman Framework, and Viral Data. He has also written several AI books, including Smarter Data Science and Ecosystems Architecture for the AI Practitioner. During Neal’s career at IBM, he has worked with government agencies in over 50 countries.

Teri Takai — Moderator

Chief Programs Officer, Center for Digital Government

Teri Takai is the Chief Programs Officer of e.Republic, the parent company of the Center for Digital Government. She worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years in global application development and information technology strategic planning. From Ford, she moved to EDS in support of General Motors. A long-time interest in public service led her to the government sector, first as CIO of the State of Michigan, then as CIO of the State of California, and subsequently the CIO of the U.S. Department of Defense, the first woman appointed to this role. She then served as the CIO for Meridian Health Plan. She is a member of several industry advisory boards. Teri has won numerous awards including Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year, CIO Magazine’s CIO Hall of Fame, Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers, the Women in Defense Excellence in Leadership Award, and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

Webinar

Ask the Experts: Navigating AI Adoption in Government