​Modernizing the technology that supports government services is a primary way state agencies are working to deliver services more efficiently and meet constituent demand. But while implementing new technology is a significant milestone, the challenge of ensuring that systems are capable of delivering on the mission extends far beyond launch day. A perpetually adaptive system—and a mindset to match—are critical to keep systems functional and relevant.

​In our previous podcast, Amber Shultz, Kansas’s Secretary of Labor, shared the four keys to successfully delivering a complex digital transformation project. In today’s episode, we welcome Secretary Shultz back to share her insights on ensuring that the new unemployment insurance system in Kansas can adapt to user needs, evolving policies, and ever-changing technology.

​​Today, technology is a critical part of delivering state services like unemployment insurance, but many states still rely on decades-old systems that struggle to meet demand. Like many agencies, the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) reached a turning point when unemployment claims surged at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legacy system, created in the 1970s, was unable to support the volume of claims and calls, causing delays in service and overburdening state staff. KDOL needed to not only stabilize its current unemployment insurance system but modernize it so it could become more agile and perpetually adaptive.

​In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, guest host Monica Mayk spoke with Amber Shultz, Secretary of Labor for the State of Kansas, about the state’s unemployment insurance modernization program. The landmark transformation, which now enables the state to better support Kansans during critical and vulnerable times, was honored with a 2025 State IT Recognition Award for Digital Experience: Agency and Program Solutions by the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO). Secretary Shultz shares the story of KDOL’s transformation effort, the outcomes for constituents and state staff, and the four key factors that led her department to success.

The potential for data to power government systems and transform service delivery has made maximizing the value of their data a top priority for many state agencies. But states still struggle to transform raw data into actionable insights that can drive economic growth and social benefits. Solving this conundrum may depend on data sharing: pooling information and insights among state agencies to optimize resources and support staff and citizens.

In today’s episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, guest host Dale Smith, Director of Labor and Workforce at TCS – Tata Consultancy Services, speaks with Rick Maher, CEO of Adaptive Human Capital, about how state agencies can become data sharing organizations and put that data to use for constituents.

The pressures that are reshaping the broader business environment also affect government contracting. These shifts reflect major trends impacting government contracts, and according to Cohn Reznick and Unanet’s 2025 GAUGE Report, 57 percent of GovCon firms cite finding new revenue streams as their biggest challenge, and 79 percent of them are having trouble winning new contracts. While demand and funding cycles become more unpredictable, resource management continues to be one of the most persistent operational challenges, with firms reporting persistent understaffing, increasing compliance hours, and growing pressure to improve efficiency.

In this episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, host Lucas Hunsicker discusses the latest GAUGE findings on resource planning, competitive resilience, and project execution with Kim Koster, Vice President of GovCon Strategy at Unanet. They explore why hybrid PMO structures are becoming more popular, where AI is delivering measurable value, and how GovCons can improve forecasting and reduce dependency on spreadsheets to successfully navigate a more competitive and complex market.

​​​​​​​In the second half of this ​​two-part Government Technology Insider podcast, Bryan Schromsky, Managing Partner for 5G Public Sector at Verizon, and Todd Maxwell, Director of Regulated Business Development at Samsung Electronics America, explore how artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and next-generation wearables are reshaping the military’s mobile ecosystem. In this new era, mobile devices are not just communication tools but intelligent hubs that enhance awareness, simplify workflows, and protect the warfighter in every environment. ​

From field radios to ruggedized tables, mobile devices have been an integral part of military communications for decades. But today, the Department of ​War​ (Do​W​) is moving beyond simply using mobile devices and investing in placing mobility at the forefront of training, planning, and tactical operations. This emerging mobile-first model is reshaping readiness and accelerating the pace of operations at a moment when speed, flexibility, and secure data are the most critical.

​​​​What emerges is a new vision for mobile capabilities in the field. Instead of carrying multiple devices or specialized gear, service members can rely on a single, secure endpoint that transitions seamlessly across environments like training ranges and command environments. Devices can now deliver a full desktop experience for mission planning in a vehicle, then shift into situational awareness mode during operations, and finally integrate with wearables or IoT sensors for team coordination. This consolidation improves efficiency while reducing the physical and cognitive load on warfighters. ​​​

In this episode of the Government Technology Insider podcast, Bryan Schromsky, Managing Partner for 5G Public Sector at Verizon, and Todd Maxwell, Director of Regulated Business Development at Samsung Electronics America, join host, Matt Langan, to explore the forces driving this shift and the innovations making it possible. As they explain, the modern military is now dominated by service members who grew up as mobile natives. That cultural readiness paired with more affordable devices, expanded commercial 5G coverage on military installations, and rapidly improving security frameworks set the stage for mobility to move from niche use cases to full-scale operational adoption.

Quantum computing is no longer a distant frontier, a reality recently reinforced by the 2025 Physics Nobel Prize winners. While Professor John Clarke, one of the three new laureates, described the recognition as the “surprise of his life” few in the technology community were caught off guard. Their work forms the backbone of the breakthroughs driving quantum research forward today. Clarke explained, “This is something that leads to the development of the quantum computer. Many people are working on quantum computing, our discovery is in many ways the basis of this.” With this recognition, the conversation has shifted from if quantum computing will reshape industries to when, and most importantly, how leaders can prepare for its impact with post-quantum cryptography (PQC).

For decades, encryption algorithms have safeguarded sensitive data across government and industry. Experts, however, warn that once quantum computers reach full capability, those same protections could be rendered obsolete. In the latest episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, Cloudflare’s Anish Patel, Head of Federal Sales, and Dr. Sharon Goldberg, Product Director and cryptography expert, explore what a “post-quantum” world looks like and what it means for government systems that hold decades of sensitive and mission-critical data.

Patel and Goldberg emphasize that the threat isn’t science fiction; it’s about readiness. Data being created and stored today could remain relevant for 10, 20, or even 50 years from now. If that information is intercepted and stored, it could be decrypted later once quantum capabilities mature. The challenge, then, goes beyond future-proofing to protecting the present against future threats.

That’s where post-quantum cryptography (PQC) comes in. PQC represents a new generation of encryption designed to withstand quantum-level attacks. Transitioning to these standards will take time, planning, and collaboration across agencies and technology partners. As Patel and Goldberg note, this isn’t a “flip the switch” moment. Instead, it’s an opportunity for strategic transformation that touches infrastructure, policy, and culture alike.

Quantum computing promises incredible possibilities for science, innovation, and discovery. But it also challenges long-held assumptions about security and trust. Forward-looking leaders understand that preparing for the quantum era is both a technical necessity and a matter of national resilience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already touched nearly every corner of the public sector. Agencies are using it to power chatbots that answer citizen questions and predictive analytics that help leaders anticipate failures and issues. These early applications are reshaping how government operates, improving efficiencies, and opening the door to new innovations. Yet according to experts, the story is only just beginning. A new wave of AI is emerging in government that is taking operations beyond automation. This is agentic AI.

The questions facing leaders now are critical. What does agentic AI mean for agencies? And how can government move from small-scale experiments to mission-driven outcomes that deliver lasting value? In the latest episode of the Government Technology Insider Podcast, host Lucas Hunsicker speaks with Katie Tierney, Area Vice President of the Americas at BMC Helix. Drawing on more than three decades in technology, Tierney unpacks both the opportunities and the roadblocks that lie ahead for government AI.

Despite having a presence in most agencies, the extent of AI adoption is uneven. While some agencies are experimenting with automation or deploying chatbots, others are only beginning to explore AI’s potential. Success often comes down to skills, governance, and data readiness, and without those, many projects fall short. Tierney cited a recent MIT study that found 95 percent of AI initiatives fail to deliver measurable value. Too often, AI is treated as a shiny tool rather than part of a broader shift in technology and society.

For agencies determined to be in the successful five percent, Tierney highlights several essentials. Start with purpose. Ensure data is prepared and governed. Keep humans in the loop. And build momentum with incremental projects rather than chasing sweeping initiatives that rarely succeed.

The payoff is significant. Agentic AI can free employees from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value, mission-critical work. It can also help agencies become more resilient and adaptive, while making government more attractive to the next generation of talent. Citizens stand to gain as well, through faster services, smarter policies, and stronger connections to the agencies that serve them.

Agentic AI is more than technology. It represents a new way of approaching governance, service delivery, and the relationship between agencies and the people they serve. This is an opportunity for better outcomes for citizens, stronger connections between government and communities, and a modern workforce empowered by smarter tools.