The GovAI Podcast
Welcome to The GovAI Podcast - where innovation meets governance. Are we ready for a future where artificial intelligence powers our cities and shapes our communities? Join us as we go beyond buzzwords to unravel the mysteries of AI adoption in the public sector. From groundbreaking success stories to lessons learned from government failures, we explore how technology is redefining what it means to serve and be served. This isn't just about tech - it's about the people behind the policies, the challenges of implementing cutting-edge AI tools, and the untapped potential of a workforce ready to embrace change. If you're eager to peek behind the curtain of government and discover how AI could transform our world, this podcast is your guide to a revolution in the making.
The GovAI Podcast
S2E2 - Benjamin Palacio - The Real Impact of AI on Government Jobs
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In this episode of the GovAI Podcast, Noam Maital and Dustin Haisler are joined by Benjamin Palacio, Senior IT Analyst for Placer County, California and a longtime practitioner on the frontlines of government AI.
Ben has been building AI solutions since 2018, well before the current wave of generative AI, and brings a rare, hands-on perspective on how AI has evolved inside government over the past several years.
They explore what’s actually changing (and what isn’t), from early rule-based chatbots to today’s real-time, dynamic AI systems and what that means for agencies trying to move from experimentation to real deployment.
The conversation dives into how AI is being applied today, including chatbots, automation, and citizen-facing tools, as well as the operational realities of adoption: procurement challenges, data governance, validation, and the risks of vendor lock-in.
They also tackle one of the biggest questions in government today: Will AI replace workers or fundamentally change how work gets done?
This podcast is brought to you by Darwin AI, a platform built for state and local government to help agencies adopt and manage AI responsibly.