This month, technology leaders from across North Carolina gathered at the Raleigh Convention Center for the North Carolina Digital Government Summit — a day devoted to exploring how innovation can transform public service.
The summit, hosted by Government Technology, was designed for public sector decision-makers, IT professionals and community leaders who share one common goal: harnessing technology to deliver better, faster and more secure services for North Carolinians.
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This year was the first Digital Summit kicked off by Teena Piccione, North Carolina’s chief information officer and secretary of the Department of Information Technology, who stepped into the role in January 2025. With an impressive track record at Google, RTI International and Fidelity Investments, Piccione brings both private and public sector expertise to the table. She oversees the state’s IT strategy, cybersecurity operations, broadband expansion and modernization efforts — critical pillars for a rapidly growing state.
We heard her insights on the state’s vision for digital transformation, the challenges of implementing large-scale technology projects and the opportunities to build a more connected, efficient and equitable North Carolina.
The summit agenda was packed with sessions that directly addressed the most pressing tech and policy issues in the state.
Highlights included:
Artificial intelligence in government – From pilot projects to full-scale adoption, the summit showcased how AI is reshaping citizen services. I really enjoyed the panel on Generative AI, where we heard how the chief information officers of the state departments of health and human services and employment security are using AI to streamline services for citizens.
North Carolina is one of the first states to employ an AI chatbot (named Felix) to help individuals navigate the unemployment insurance claim application process.
Felix demonstrates how thoughtful, generative AI adoption can enhance citizen services while improving operational efficiency. Clearly, AI innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and it is imperative that state and local governments develop an AI strategy that works for the residents they serve.
During the summit, one word kept surfacing in every conversation: Agentic AI.
Unlike traditional AI, which analyzes data or automates routine tasks, agentic AI takes a leap forward — systems that can reason, make decisions, and act with a level of independence. This technology is not science fiction. It is being built and deployed today, and its potential to transform our lives is staggering.
What struck me most at the summit was the speed at which this innovation is moving. In just a few short years, AI has gone from a promising experiment to a daily tool shaping industries from healthcare to finance. Now, with agentic AI, we are entering a new frontier where governments, businesses and communities must prepare for a reality where machines don’t just assist — they collaborate.
For Wake County and North Carolina, this is not just about technology. It’s about leadership. It’s about whether we seize this moment to become a hub for responsible AI innovation or watch other regions define the future without us.
Broadband – Wake County CIO Jonathan Feldman moderated a panel on the importance of broadband investment in North Carolina. Deputy Secretary of Broadband Annette Tayor shared the state vision in this area, and I walked away impressed with the focus of our governor to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to high-speed broadband.
There were so many sessions covering how data governance and analytics can help us leverage information to make smarter policy and operational decisions. In addition, there were many conversations around public-private collaboration – Building bridges between industry and government to accelerate progress.
I will be sharing more details in a few weeks on these sessions along with the summit award winners, NC agency teams who were recognized for their game-changing innovations in state government.
Cities should be in the room
Events like the Digital Government Summit are especially valuable for city governments. Moving forward, I would like to see more cities and counties attend. Municipal leaders have a front-row seat to the everyday needs of residents — whether that’s improving public safety, enhancing mobility, streamlining permitting or expanding community engagement. Technology is a powerful force multiplier in all these areas.
In Morrisville, we have seen firsthand how digital tools — from AI-driven traffic management to smart permitting systems — can make government more responsive and efficient. These solutions don’t just improve operations; they improve lives.
That is why I strongly encourage local governments from across Wake County — from our largest cities to our smallest towns — to attend next year's summit. Work is underway for an AI and Cybersecurity Symposium in early December. Take advantage of the opportunity to share ideas, see real-world demonstrations and build partnerships can help scale local innovations countywide. Our collective goal should be nothing less than making North Carolina a “smart state, where every community can leverage technology to deliver exceptional services to its residents.
Collaboration is a roadmap to innovation
The Digital Government Summit isn’t just another tech conference — it’s a roadmap for how North Carolina can remain a leader in technology-driven governance. As local governments and state agencies face increasing demands for speed, transparency and security, events like this provide the platform to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and learn from peers.
It is also a reminder that the future of government isn’t about replacing human connection with machines — it’s about using technology to strengthen that connection. Whether it’s reducing wait times for services, using data to prevent traffic accidents, or ensuring every child has access to high-speed internet, innovation in government touches lives in ways that are tangible and immediate.
As someone deeply committed to the intersection of technology and public service, I viewed this summit as a catalyst for action. It is where vision met execution, and where the seeds of tomorrow’s most impactful projects are planted.
Clearly, North Carolina is ready for its next chapter in digital innovation — and this gathering is one of the places where that story will be written. My time at the NC Digital Summit confirmed that Piccione and her team are working alongside North Carolina’s tech innovators, writing the next chapter of our state’s digital story and ensuring we lead the way in innovation, opportunity and service.