\u201cThe state CIO role is a change for me in that I don\u2019t have one mission, but I inherit many missions,\u201d Given told StateScoop in an interview this week. \u201cWe\u2019re fundamentally a department in service of the missions of literally every single department in the state, so we have to be ruthless about how we\u2019re assessing how well we\u2019re serving the state.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than pursuing large-scale modernization projects that take years to deliver results, Given said CDT will focus on helping agencies make incremental improvements that produce measurable returns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not going to be able to fund $40 million or $50 million projects for base needs going forward,\u201d Given said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to think more about shared services. We\u2019re going to have to think more about how we can consolidate our footprint down into doing a smaller number of things better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given, who has served as deputy secretary for technology and innovation at the California Government Operations Agency since last year, arrives at a moment of transition for California government technology. <\/p>\n
Under Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose term is up this year, the state has gained national attention for initiatives including AI governance frameworks, broadband expansion,<\/a> digital identity efforts and the launch of the state\u2019s generative AI assistant, Poppy.<\/p>\n He said one of his first priorities will be working with agency technology leaders to address California\u2019s legacy IT portfolio and the challenges created as agencies modernize systems and reduce their reliance on state-operated infrastructure. <\/p>\n \u201cThe big challenge that I\u2019m coming into is a problem that we can\u2019t solve alone,\u201d Given said.<\/p>\n Beyond modernization, Given said accessibility will also be a major focus of the department. He pointed to the state\u2019s broadband investments, digital identity program and web accessibility initiatives as examples of efforts designed to make government services easier for Californians to access. <\/p>\n He said digital identity, in particular, could play a major role as agencies prepare for increased eligibility verification requirements in public benefit programs such as SNAP and Medicaid.<\/p>\n \u201cI think digital ID comes first and foremost to mind,\u201d Given said, calling it a foundational technology that can reduce administrative burden while strengthening privacy protections and security.<\/p>\n
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