At San Francisco Tech Week 2025, Chief AI and Google co-hosted AI x Government: The Future of Public Sector Tech – a panel discussion and networking reception focused on building the govtech community in the Bay Area.
The event brought together 200 leaders across technology, venture, and public service to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the civic landscape. The conversations focused on what it truly takes to modernize government systems in the AI era – and how we can build technology not just for governments, but with them.
A Panel with Builders Shaping GovTech
At the heart of the evening was the GovTech Panel, a conversation featuring leaders who have worked across the industry – from Congress to City Hall, Google to Twitter.
The discussion was moderated by Rex Brown, a leader in Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google. He spoke about Google’s work with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to drive more AI innovation in cities – and how the public and private sectors can collaborate to accelerate meaningful, trustworthy adoption of AI in government.
Shannon Beckham, Founder and CEO of Chief AI, explored the differences between building products for users in the public versus private sectors. Designing for government, she noted, requires a deep understanding of the high stakes and public accountability. She outlined different security requirements, the nuance of public records laws and data retention, and strategic ways to keep a human in the loop amid agentic AI acceleration.
From the city perspective, Stephen Caines, CIO and Budget Director for the City of San José, shared how local governments can lead in AI adoption despite tight budgets, legacy systems, and regulatory constraints. By fostering a culture of experimentation and creating strategic public-private partnerships, San José has become one of the most forward-leaning municipalities in the country.
Rachel Stern, Founder and Managing Partner at Govtech Ventures, offered an investor’s perspective, pointing to a surge in momentum and capital flowing into the sector. As government technology evolves from a niche category to a critical growth area, she stressed the importance of distinguishing between short-term hype and solutions that deliver measurable public impact.
Finally Mark Friese, COO of Rep’d and former operator at Twitter, focused on the critical role of trust, particularly in government environments where skepticism toward AI can be high. Building credibility, he argued, requires transparency, clear communication, and explainability from the very start.
Remarks from Anthropic’s Government Team
Michael Lai of Anthropic shared his reflections on AI’s transformative potential in the public sector – and how startups are using Anthropic’s API to build products that improve communication, benefits delivery, and decision-making in government. His message underscored a common thread throughout the event: the future of government technology will be defined by collaboration and a shared commitment to the public good.
Connecting Builders, Policymakers, and Innovators
The conversation didn’t end when the panel wrapped. The Networking Happy Hour that followed brought together founders, policymakers, investors, and technologists for lively discussions and new connections. From exploring procurement pathways to brainstorming new civic-tech ventures, the room buzzed with ideas about how to build smarter, more responsive public institutions.
The Road Ahead
At Chief AI, we see this event not as a single moment, but as part of a broader movement. By convening conversations like AI x Government, we’re working to bridge the gap between innovation and public impact.
We’re grateful to our cohost at Google, our extraordinary panelists, and the hundreds of leaders who joined us to shape this dialogue. The work is just beginning – and we’re excited to lead alongside the builders, policymakers, and visionaries who will define the future of public innovation.
Thank You to Our Partners
A huge thank you to Grüns and NAMU for providing delicious products that elevated the experience for our guests throughout the evening. And an equally big thank you to Entrepreneurs First for hosting us in such an inspiring and dynamic space, the perfect setting for bold conversations about the future of public innovation.
