His last day with the California Department of Technology (CDT) was April 21, a spokesperson for the department confirmed.Porat joined the state government in late 2022 as chief technology innovation officer before stepping into the CTO role in 2023. During his time at CDT, he helped push forward a variety of initiatives, such as the statewide Digital Strategy, the CloudSmart principles and innovation work such as AI pilots and digital identification development.
Porat was also part of a team award CDT received for the AI 50* awards last year.
The agency did not provide information about what Porat’s next move will be. Before coming to the state, he had local government experience with the city of Seattle, federal experience working for the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of Management and Budget; and education experience as a research analyst at George Washington University.
These California leadership moves — along with the earlier departure of Senior Counselor to the Governor Amy Tong, and some department CIOs as well — come ahead of the election of a new governor later this year.
*The AI 50 awards were presented by the Center for Public Sector AI, part of e.Republic, Industry Insider — California’s parent company.
