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Theo Douglas

Theo Douglas is news editor for Government Technology. He was previously assistant managing editor for Industry Insider — California. His reporting experience includes covering municipal, county and state governments, business and breaking news.

News

When Implementing AI, Trust the Process but Prioritize People

Before production, consider whether that method is repeatable, a panelist said at the California Public Sector CIO Academy. Others recommended identifying service challenges early, and ensuring leadership is set.

April 28, 2026
· Theo Douglas
News

IT Work Evolving, Health Department Tech Leaders Say

Technology officials said at a recent Industry Insider — California Member Briefing that they are looking carefully at both the structure of their IT organization and how IT projects are spearheaded.

February 23, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Developing Opportunities: State Consumer Affairs, San Francisco, College District and More

The California Department of Consumer Affairs, the consolidated city-county of San Francisco and the North Orange Community College District are among the state and local entities in the early stages of technology projects.

Insider
February 22, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

State Contemplates Document Management System

The California Department of General Services’ Office of Business and Acquisition Services and the Office of State Publishing have released a request for information about a physical document management software system that would be a turnkey solution.

Insider
February 20, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Profiles in Government: State Health Care Services Works to Update Key Systems

The California Department of Health Care Services has made significant progress toward transforming Medi-Cal and is looking to bring additional resources to its Managed Care Capitation Payment System.

Insider
February 13, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

New Bills Would Regulate AI Development, Criminalize Misuse

With less than a week remaining to introduce new bills, state lawmakers continue to release proposed legislation scrutinizing artificial intelligence.

Insider
February 12, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Life With the Cloud

State and local technology leaders discuss their organizations’ work and offer best practices for migrating to the cloud.

Insider
February 09, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Legislative Adviser Looks at State’s Role in Tech

A new report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office scrutinizes “Key Fiscal and Policy Issues Facing California,” including how the state can advance technological innovation while addressing disparities.

Insider
February 08, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Millions for IT Work in Governor’s Caltrans Budget

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year would fund several technology initiatives and deliver an overall increase to the California Department of Transportation.

Insider
February 06, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

L.A. Water & Power Mulls Meter Reader IT Project

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power wants to hear from IT vendors as it contemplates bringing technology to the assistance of meter readers.

Insider
February 05, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

New Bills Would Regulate AI, Elections, Privacy

Facing a looming deadline to introduce proposed laws, state Assembly members and senators continue to release legislation that could impact IT companies and governments alike.

Insider
February 02, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

State GenAI Opportunities Target Inspections, Language

Two solicitations in generative artificial intelligence focus on improving the process of health-care facility inspections and expanding access to health and social services information for residents who speak limited English.

Insider
February 01, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Profiles in Government: Real Estate Department Looks to De-Silo, Modernize Systems

The California Department of Real Estate is using existing resources to achieve its Portal Modernization Project and a single identity for external users, but it may receive funding in the proposed state budget for workload costs and IT equipment needs.

Insider
January 30, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

State Corrections Seeks Information on New Cloud-Based Solution

In a request for information released Thursday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation contemplates a new cloud-based solution that would replace an existing system and integrate disparate processes.

Insider
January 29, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Millions in Newsom’s Budget for Social Services IT

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $291.5 billion state budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year brings a small cut to the California Department of Social Services but would also fund several technology projects in various stages.

Insider
January 26, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Caltrans Seeks Feedback Ahead of Possible Data Governance Procurement

The California departments of Technology and Transportation have called for responses from vendors to a pre-solicitation for a data governance solution. An actual procurement, if one comes, isn’t expected until late summer.

Insider
January 25, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Lawmakers Mull Affordable Internet, Facial Recognition Bills

The Legislature is considering bills setting requirements around procurement contracts with Internet service providers, the use of facial recognition technology and electronic signatures, among others.

Insider
January 23, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Developing Opportunities: State Fish and Wildlife, L.A. Water & Power and More

The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the city-county of San Francisco are among the state and local entities in the early stages of technology projects.

Insider
January 22, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

State Emergency Office Readies to Seek Mobile System

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services indicates it intends to seek proposals from bidders capable of providing it with a mobile dispatch system.

Insider
January 19, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

State GenAI Opportunity Focuses on Call Center Needs

Three departments have collaborated on a third opportunity for vendors, seeking ideas for bringing generative artificial intelligence to bear on issues at a state tax entity.

Insider
January 18, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Governor’s Budget Would Bring IT Funding, Overall Cut to DMV

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2024-2025 fiscal year state budget would decrease the Department of Motor Vehicles’ budget overall but provide more than $18 million for three areas of technology work.

Insider
January 16, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Developing Opportunities: Transportation Authority, Oakland Port and More

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, the consolidated city-county of San Francisco and the Port of Oakland are among the local entities in the early stages of technology projects.

Insider
January 12, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Cuts for CDT in Governor’s Budget

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year state budget would slash the amount of money the California Department of Technology receives from the state General Fund but offers hope for three vital areas of tech spend.

Insider
January 11, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

New Bills Would Investigate, Regulate AI

As public-sector technologists contemplate how best to use generative artificial intelligence and confront an estimated $68 billion state deficit, lawmakers have released several bills that would create infrastructure, plans and standards for the use of AI.

Insider
January 09, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

State GenAI Opportunities Target Transportation Needs

Three state departments are collaborating on the release of two opportunities for vendors, which seek ideas in applying generative artificial intelligence to solve challenges in the transportation network.

Insider
January 08, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Input Sought on New Licensing, Payment Portal

The California Department of Food and Agriculture wants to hear from IT companies to better inform any future procurement.

Insider
January 05, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

Developing Opportunities: Water District, City of San Diego and More

The city of San Diego and the Santa Clara Valley Water District are among the local entities in the early stages of technology projects.

Insider
January 03, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

GenAI State Procurements Near

The exact timing isn’t set, but the California Department of General Services expects to release five Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2) opportunities this month that would focus on needs at three state entities.

Insider
January 02, 2024
· Theo Douglas
News

AI, Mobile Driver’s License and More: 2023’s Top 5 Articles

Chock-a-block with procurements, IT executives joining and leaving state and local government, and everyone greatly abuzz about artificial intelligence, 2023 was a year to remember in California gov tech. These were its most significant issues.

Insider
December 22, 2023
· Theo Douglas
News

2023’s Most-Read Interviews With Tech Leaders

Industry Insider — California’s One-on-One interview series with a spectrum of state and local IT leaders has been publishing nearly every week since June 2020. These are the five most-read conversations of 2023.

Insider
December 22, 2023
· Theo Douglas