Employees Get a Look at Emerging Tech at Innovation Day 2024

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The County Technology Office (CTO) recently hosted its annual Innovation Day at the County Operations Center.

The event showcased emerging technologies that could shape the County's business practices and interactions with its customers.  

This year's theme was Harvesting Ideas, building on the recent County Ideathon, where multiple ideas were submitted across all County groups. Innovation Day 2024 highlighted several ideas currently being developed to meet business challenges.

Presentations and booths let County staff explore topics like automating processes, alerting the County to cyber threats, large data lake modeling, customer-first digital experiences and mobile check-ins for appointments.

Artificial intelligence was the day’s most talked-about topic, with several vendors sharing how they are incorporating AI into their products, including:

  • Google: A tool that turns lengthy recordings or transcripts, such as those from meetings or hearings, into summary podcasts.

  • Microsoft: Integration of AI into its Office tools.

  • ServiceNow: Enhancements to its product using AI.

County staff also experienced generative AI through a hands-on workstation.

The event highlighted several other innovative technologies, including:

  • AT&T: Discussed how low-orbit satellites can improve internet access in areas in the county with poor or no connectivity. The County has begun using the service at several sites. AT&T and CTO are looking at how to make it standard.

  • Amazon Web Services: Demonstrated how its technology can use AI to power data analytics.

  • Accela: Showed how its software can streamline a customer’s application for a permit.

  • Zoom: Introduced features like workspace reservations.

  • Peraton and CTO: Provided a variety of laptops for attendees to try out.

For a full list of vendors and their presentations, visit the Innovation Day website.

CTO and Peraton have an active innovation program that sponsors pilots for new ideas. County employees are encouraged to submit suggestions, which are sent to a review board for possible development.

You can see more pictures from the event below.