In this episode of the Tyler Tech Podcast, Liz Thomas, president of Tyler’s State and Federal Group, and Russell Gainford, chief technology officer, dive into how state agencies are translating the 2026 NACIO State CIO Priorities into action, with a focus on efficiency, modernization, and AI.

Drawing on insights from CIOs across all 50 states and U.S. territories, Liz and Russell explore how technology is being used to reduce administrative burdens, streamline workflows, and empower public sector teams. They discuss how AI, cloud platforms, and integrated systems are helping agencies work smarter, deliver faster results, and enhance resident and business experiences — all while maintaining security, transparency, and public trust.

The conversation highlights real-world examples of how modernization initiatives — from automating manual processes to building stronger data foundations — create measurable impact, improve staff capacity, and support better decision-making. Liz and Russell also address the importance of human-centered design, workforce engagement, and data-driven insights in successfully implementing new technologies.

This episode provides a practical look at how state technology leaders are using AI and modern tech to drive efficiency, improve outcomes, and meet the evolving needs of residents and businesses. It offers actionable insights for CIOs, technology leaders, and anyone interested in how thoughtful technology adoption is transforming government services.

This episode also highlights the 2026 State CIO Priorities Playbook, designed to help government leaders turn strategy into action. The playbook provides practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable guidance across top priorities like AI, cybersecurity, modernization, accessibility, and digital services.

CIO Priorities Playbook: From Planning to Execution: Turning Priorities Into Progress

And learn more about the topics discussed in this episode with these resources:

Download: 2026 State CIO Top 10 Priorities
Download: AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government
Download: Modern Governments Live in the Cloud
Read: AI at Enterprise Scale: Simplifying State Services Today
Read: How Digital Services Shape Public Trust in Local Government
Read: When Budget Pressure Forces Leaders to Change Tactics

Listen to other episodes of the podcast.

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