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Smart Cities Smart Government Research Practice Consortium Symposium

 On June 14, CTG UAbany will host the Smart Cities Smart Government Research Practice Consortium Symposium, an online event about smart cities and communities. The symposium will include the following three presentations: 1) Decolonizing Digital Government and Smart Cities Benchmarking, 2) Global Assessment of Responsible AI in Cities, and 3) A Public Participation System for Stakeholders’ Living Context Identification and Improvement in Smart Cities. If you are interested in attending, please contact CTG UAlbany Research Director Mila Gascó-Hernández at mgasco@albany.edu  

CTG UAlbany Students Using AI to Help City of Schenectady Track Government Resources Feb. 29, 2024 : UAlbany

UAlbany students Michelle Leon Vasquez, Tyler Jardine and Kelvin Cai are getting a first-hand look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve the lives of individuals. They are working side-by-side with the University’s Center for Technology in Government (CTG UAlbany) to assist the city of Schenectady in monitoring the use of city assets. 

CTG UAlbany Researchers Featured in Government Technology Story on AI Research Feb. 7, 2024 : Govtech

CTG UAlbany and Rockefeller College doctoral student Tzuhao Chen and Research Director and Associate Professor Mila Gascó-Hernández were interviewed by Government Technology for a story on their published research on how government agencies are using artificial intelligence and specifically how they are harnessing chatbot technology.  

CTG UAlbany Research Director Wins Best Paper Award Feb. 6, 2024

CTG UAlbany Research Director and Rockefeller College Associate Professor Mila Gascó-Hernández, along with her co-authors, won the Best Paper Award 2022 - Urban Governance. The award was for her paper titled, “The role of organizational capacity to foster digital transformation in local governments: The case of three European smart cities.” The paper was co-authored with Associate Professors Greta Nasi and Maria Cucciniello from the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy and Alexander M. Hiedemann from the Government, Health and Not for Profit Division, SDA Bocconi School of Management, Italy. Professor Nasi also is a 2023-2024 CTG UAlbany Visiting Scholar.  

CTG UAlbany Study Examines AI Chatbots in Public Organizations Jan. 29, 2024 : UAlbany News

Researchers from CTG UAlbany and University College London (UCL)’s School of Public Policy examine the use of chatbots by governments, and what factors have led to their successful deployment or failure. 

CTG UAlbany Research Director Appointed to AI in Libraries Committee Jan. 23, 2024

CTG UAlbany Research Director and Rockefeller College Associate Professor Mila Gascó-Hernández has been appointed to the Capital District Library Council’s AI in Libraries Planning Committee. The Committee is dedicated to exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on libraries. This committee will lead efforts to educate members about artificial intelligence, develop engaging programs, and recommend valuable resources. 

Artificial Intelligence in Government: Key Issues for Public Managers Oct. 4, 2023

As part of its 30th Anniversary, CTG UAlbany in partnership with CTG UAlbany’s Global Advisory Board, will release an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Primer at a virtual panel discussion entitled “Artificial Intelligence in Government: Key Issues for Public Managers” on October 26, 2023 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The purpose of this panel is not only to give participants a deeper understanding of AI in government, but also to showcase specific ways that AI is already being used to enhance government services and operations. The panel will focus on practical tips for program and IT managers, especially those in state and local governments. 

The panel, moderated by the Chair of CTG UAlbany’s Global Advsior Board, Dr. Peter Bloniarz will include Ms. Courtney Burke, Senior Consultant for Health Policy, Rockefeller Institute of Government; Dr. Elsa Estevez, Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair on Knowledge Societies and Digital Governance at Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina; Mr. Daniel Morgan, Public Sector Innovation Expert, US Department of Transportation; Dr. Theresa Pardo, Associate Vice President for the Division of Research and Economic Development, University at Albany, SUNY. 

Please contact Ms. Paula Hauser at phauser@albany.edu to register for this virtual event.  

CTG UAlbany Examines Libraries’ Role in AI Sept. 29, 2023 : UAlbany

With a a three-year, $637,470 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), CTG UAlbany is partnering with the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) to examine how libraries can empower communities to better understand artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure its ethical design and application. 

    AI and Libraries Mini Conference March 21, 2024

    CTG UAlbany Researcher Aryamala Prasad will participate in the AI and Libraries: Applications, Implications, and Possibilities mini conference on Thursday, March 21, 2024. During the online conference, Ayra will present, “Exploring AI in Public Libraries: Programs for Communities.” The presentation will focus on preliminary findings from CTG UAlbany’s IMLS funded research project and highlight best practices for programs and services offered by public libraries to increase awareness about artificial intelligence in their communities. 

    ASPA 2024 Conference April 12, 2024-April 16, 2024

    CTG UAlbany research assistant and Rockefeller College doctoral student Tzuhao Chen will be participating in the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) annual conference, April 12-16, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tzuhao will present findings from CTG UAlbany’s FEMA-funded project. The presentation is titled “Navigating the Interplay of Technology, Organization, and Individual Aspects in Digital Transformation: Insights from Emergency Communication within US Local Governments.” This research is co-authored with J. Ramon Gil-Garcia (Director), G. Brian Burke (Managing Director), and Derek Werthmuller (Director of Technology Innovation and Services). 

    IRSPM 2024 Conference April 16, 2024-April 18, 2024 | Tampere, Finland

    CTG UAlbany Research Director Mila Gascó-Hernández will be attending the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM), April 16-18, 2024, in Tampere, Finland. Mila will present research from CTG UAlbany’s IMLS funded project, “Empowering Communities: Public Libraries, Inclusive Civic Engagement and Artificial Intelligence,” as part of the Digital Transformation and Hybrid Future for Public Governance and Management panel.  

    25th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research (dg.o 2024 June 11, 2024-June 14, 2024

    CTG UAlbany Director J. Ramon Gil-Garcia and Research Assistant and Rockefeller College PhD student Tzuhao (Howard) Chen will be presenting the paper based on the FEMA Project entitled: “Harnessing Technology for Effective Emergency Communication: A Participatory Design Perspective” in Track 13, “Digital Transformation in Governments” at the 25th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research (dg.o 2024) Internet of Beings: Transforming Public Governance. 

    25th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research (dg.o 2024) June 11, 2024-June 14, 2024

    CTG UAlbany Research Director Mila Gasco-Hernandez and Research Assistant and Rockefeller College PhD student  Zong-Xian (Sam) Huang will be presenting the paper entitled: “Public libraries and their role in raising awareness about AI and fostering inclusive civic engagement: Current practices and future development” in the “Increasing citizen engagement and active citizenship through digital government” track 17 at the 25th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research (dg.o 2024) Internet of Beings: Transforming Public Governance.