California’s public sector is no longer asking whether artificial intelligence will be used in government — the question now is how to deploy it responsibly, at scale, and with measurable impact. Across agencies, generative AI pilots are moving into production, governance frameworks are taking shape, and staff are being asked to integrate new tools into mission-critical workflows.
Yet one challenge persists: there are few spaces where public-sector practitioners can candidly learn from one another about what actually works.
That gap is precisely what the Gov AI Collaboratory, taking place February 5, 2026, in Sacramento, is designed to address.
👉 Learn more and register:https://aicollaboratory.org
A Different Kind of Government AI Gathering
The Gov AI Collaboratory is not a traditional conference. There are no scripted panels, no vendor-led sales pitches, and no fixed agenda set months in advance. Instead, the event is built around a participant-driven Open Space format, where attendees — state and local government leaders, technologists, and program owners — shape the conversation in real time.
Participants arrive not as passive listeners, but as contributors, bringing forward the challenges they are actively facing, including:
- Moving generative AI from pilot to production
- Establishing governance and responsible AI practices
- Ensuring data security, privacy, and transparency
- Preparing the government workforce for AI-enabled workflows
- Measuring real-world impact beyond experimentation
The result is a day of peer-led working sessions grounded in real experience — the kinds of conversations that rarely happen on stage, but frequently happen after formal events conclude.
Why This Moment Matters for California
The timing of the Gov AI Collaboratory is deliberate. California has emerged as a national leader in public-sector AI adoption, guided by Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order on generative AI, which emphasizes innovation paired with accountability, transparency, and human oversight.
Agencies are already deploying GenAI tools to support contact centers, improve internal efficiency, and assist employees in navigating complex regulations. These early deployments show promise — but they also surface difficult questions around governance, workforce readiness, risk, and sustainability.
The Collaboratory creates space to address those questions collectively, rather than in isolation.
From Real Deployments to Shared Learning
One example of California’s practical approach to AI can be seen at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), which has deployed generative AI tools to assist contact-center staff with complex taxpayer inquiries. Solutions such as Axyom Assist, implemented by SymSoft Solutions, are designed to keep humans firmly in the loop — augmenting staff with faster access to authoritative information while maintaining accountability and oversight.
Experiences like these inform the spirit of the Gov AI Collaboratory: AI succeeds in government when it is practical, human-centered, and shaped by those who use it every day.
Rather than spotlighting individual tools, the event focuses on shared lessons — including what didn’t work — so agencies can move forward more confidently and efficiently.
What Participants Can Expect
Attendees will leave with:
- Peer-tested insights from colleagues facing similar challenges
- Practical approaches to responsible AI governance
- Real examples of how agencies are operationalizing GenAI today
- Connections to a growing community of public-sector AI practitioners
Participation capped at 100 to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Who Should Attend
The Gov AI Collaboratory is designed for California state and local government professionals, including:
- CIOs, CTOs, and IT leaders
- Program, operations, and innovation leaders
- Policy, legal, and governance professionals
- Technical staff supporting AI initiatives
Registration is free for California state and local government employees.
👉 Event details and registration:https://aicollaboratory.org
