The Sunday Show An Interview with California's New State Chief Technology Innovation Officer
May 29, 2025
Vera Zakem, California's State Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, previously led global efforts at USAID to align technology with democratic values. In this discussion, she shares insights on balancing innovation and public accountability, tackling the challenges of integrating AI and other emerging technologies in governance. Zakem emphasizes the need for collaboration among public, academia, and industry to foster responsible tech development while also addressing talent recruitment and upskilling in California's competitive tech landscape.
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Technology Must Serve People First
- Vera Zakem emphasizes that technology must prioritize people and society to be truly effective.
- Deploying solutions requires actual engagement with users to ensure they meet real needs and values.
Responsible AI Governance Principles
- Responsible AI governance means embedding privacy, security, and accessibility by design from the start.
- Early consideration of these principles enables scalable, adaptable, and trustworthy technology use statewide.
Pair Innovation with Safety
- View innovation and safety as complementary, not opposing, forces in technology adoption.
- Prioritize trust-building in technology to accelerate adoption and ensure governance in public service.