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When Neil Cook took over as chief data officer at the Texas Department of Information Resources in 2022, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) wasn't on the horizon. This role focused on data governance and collaboration with state agencies and oversaw a shared open data portal. It's tempting to say GenAI changed everything, but it's a bit too clicky. However, that would be factually incorrect. In fact, all the behind-the-scenes work on data management and governance has gone a long way in preparing the nation to meet the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities of AI.
In an occasional series, Cooke spoke about data discipline as a precursor to the effective use of artificial intelligence. Government A to Zand TFIC with co-host government technology Staff Writer Ashley Silver and two colleagues governance — Staff Writer Gina Hutton and Digital Editor Zoe Manzanetti.
Show memo
There are three key takeaways from this episode:
Evolving strategic role:
- Chief data officers (CDOs) and data stewards play a critical role in meeting government challenges by overseeing data governance practices and fostering collaboration between government agencies.
- Their responsibilities include breaking down data silos, ensuring data quality, and fostering a culture where data is valued and effectively managed.
AI’s transformative potential:
- AI is emerging as an innovative tool to address government challenges, offering opportunities for automation, enhanced decision-making, and predictive analytics.
- However, the effectiveness of AI models is highly dependent on the quality and security of the data used for training, highlighting the importance of a robust data governance framework.
Collaborative approach:
- Responsible AI development and effective data governance require collaboration between government agencies, AI advisory boards, and technology experts.
- Initiatives such as data literacy programs and AI user groups foster knowledge sharing and dissemination of best practices, fostering a collaborative environment to address government challenges.
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