Fifteen years after putting the civic in civic tech, Code for America is pivoting to come alongside local governments to take on the challenges they face today — bringing collaborative expertise to the use of AI in the public sector and defending gains made through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in government.amanda.jpgThe organization made its name by helping government better use (and often liberate or democratize) the data it holds and developing citizen apps through early hackathons, and making a network of volunteer developers available to public agencies that could not marshal those resources by themselves.Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America, joins the podcast this episode to talk about the organization’s mission, track record and what comes next.

Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:

1. Diverse Collaboration and Problem Solving: Code for America remains focused on the collaborative efforts of individuals from various backgrounds, including government, technology and nonprofit sectors. Renteria emphasizes the importance of leveraging diverse talents to address societal challenges, and the positive correlation between the evolution of Code for America and effective governance.
2. Growth and Evolution of Civic Tech: The interview traces the rise of civic technology, from early hackathons to its integration into mainstream digital government initiatives. Code for America has been a catalyst in making government better, particularly during crises like COVID-19, and continues to shape its future through partnerships and innovation.
3. Measuring Impact and Systems Change: The organization initially measured success by volunteer participation and project outcomes but has since shifted toward evaluating systemic changes. For example, proactive government behavior, such as Louisiana’s response to disaster relief, is now a key indicator of success, showing a broader impact on governance. The interview highlights ongoing initiatives like Direct File for tax filing, integrated benefits systems in states like Minnesota and efforts to improve child-care services.
4. Ethics and AI in Government: The role of AI in government is a critical concern. Code for America prioritizes transparency, ethical use of data and addressing biases in AI systems. Its AI Studio aims to educate government officials on how to use AI responsibly, ensuring that it serves people fairly and equitably, while keeping ethical considerations at the forefront.
5. Pushing Back Against Bug Tech’s DEI Pullback: Renteria expresses disappointment about the decline of tech industry programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. She acknowledges that some large tech companies, like Google, Meta and Lyft, have backed away from their DEI efforts, which she finds disheartening. However, she also emphasizes a deeper sense of responsibility to continue working toward equity and inclusion, regardless of the political or industry climate. Amanda notes that while the term "equity" has become politically charged, she believes most people still want a government that works for everyone. She says Code for America remains committed to ensuring government services are inclusive, even if the term “equity” itself falls out of favor.

Related Links to Code for America resources referenced in the episode:

• Building a Practice of Responsible AI
• A hands-on, human-centered approach to AI for government

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.

SHOW NOTES

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. Rural Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: Small and rural communities face significant cybersecurity challenges, particularly in protecting critical infrastructure like utilities, with limited resources making them more vulnerable to cyber threats.
2. Whole-of-State (WOS) Cybersecurity Programs: WOS initiatives, supported by federal grants, provide comprehensive cybersecurity support across state and local government levels, with various states adopting unique strategies to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
3. Sector-Specific Cyber Threats: Critical sectors such as water, energy, and space are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, with outdated systems and the integration of new technologies introducing additional vulnerabilities.
4. Sustainability of Cybersecurity Initiatives: There are ongoing concerns about the long-term sustainability of WOS programs, particularly the continuity of federal funding, which is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of these initiatives.
5. Collaborative Cybersecurity Strategies: Collaboration between federal, state, and international entities is essential in developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies, focusing on guidelines, technical assistance, and raising awareness of cyber risks.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction: Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the Challenges of Protecting Critical Infrastructure

01:06 - Threats to Water Sector: Ransomware and Nation-State Actors

08:39 - Vulnerabilities in the Power Grid: Legacy Systems and Fragility

11:15 - Cybersecurity in Space: Multiple Layers of Vulnerability

13:52 - Vulnerabilities in Legacy Systems and Networks

15:49 - Challenges Faced by Small and Rural Communities in Implementing Cybersecurity

18:01 - The Debate: Diversifying Providers vs. Relying on the Best in the Business

20:32 - Collaboration and Real-Time Alerts: Key Elements of Effective Cybersecurity