AI & Technology for Public Managers | Center for Executive Leadership in Government

Course Title	Delivery Method	Date(s)	Fee	Status
AI & Technology for Public Managers CELG-6185-SP26-1	FULLY ONLINE (Zoom & Canvas)	April 13 - May 8, 2026 Mandatory Live Session Dates: April 17, 12:00pm-1:00pm ET April 24, 12:00pm-1:00pm ET May 1, 12:00pm-1:00pm ET May 8, 12:00pm-1:00pm ET (all Fridays)	$2,000	Register Online

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Program Overview

Technology now underpins every function of local government, from payroll and permitting to public safety and resident services. When technology fails, operations stop. Cybersecurity breaches are not IT problems; they are management crises.

The AI & Technology for Public Managers certificate program prepares municipal administrators, department heads, elected officials, and nonprofit leaders to govern technology with confidence and accountability.

Delivered in four focused modules, the course provides practical, non-technical frameworks for overseeing cybersecurity risk, artificial intelligence, data use, vendor relationships, and smart technology initiatives. Rather than focusing on technical implementation, the program emphasizes fiduciary responsibility, budgetary discipline, governance, and public trust.

You do not need to understand algorithms or network architecture. You need to understand risk, accountability, and impact. This program equips you to lead technology conversations at the executive table and ensure that innovation serves your community, not the other way around.

A camera and microphone are required to participate.

For information related to taking our online courses, visit our Online Course Information page.

Online Course Information

Module 1: Foundation - Building Technology Leadership

This module reframes technology from a technical function to a leadership responsibility. Participants are introduced to the concept of technology fitness, emphasizing that effective management requires continuous attention to planning, budgeting, and priority setting. The module underscores the importance of having a trusted technology expert “at the table” and establishes cybersecurity and data protection as foundational risk management obligations.

Module 2: Innovation, AI, and Data

This module addresses innovation, data use, and artificial intelligence as infrastructure decisions, not trends. Participants learn how to approach AI incrementally: starting small, engaging staff early, measuring outcomes, and maintaining transparency. Emphasis is placed on governance structures, staff capacity, equity considerations, and realistic budgeting. The module cautions against hype-driven adoption and reinforces that technology should support community priorities, not dictate them.

Module 3: Security and Risk Management

This module positions cybersecurity as a daily governance concern, not a periodic IT task. Participants focus on the “can’t live without” elements of technical competence and learn why unclear ownership creates unacceptable risk. The module introduces cybersecurity posture as a combination of preventative controls and incident response readiness, reinforcing the need for continuous assessment and executive-level visibility.

Module 4: Policy and Future Considerations

This module elevates technology from an operational issue to a public policy driver. Participants examine how smart city initiatives, digital services, and AI shape resident experiences and public trust. The module emphasizes equity, accessibility, and transparency, helping leaders anticipate future policy challenges and ensure technology decisions align with democratic values and community expectations.

Program Topics

Module 1: Foundation - Building Technology Leadership

Module 1 Learning Objectives:

1. Explain why technology is mission-critical infrastructure and a core management responsibility.

2. Identify the role of a trusted technology expert in executive decision-making.

3. Apply an iterative framework for technology planning, priority setting, and budgeting.

4. Describe non-negotiable baseline protections, including reliable backup and cybersecurity safeguards.

5. Formulate oversight questions leaders should ask to ensure technology fitness and accountability.

Module 2: Innovation, AI, and Data

Module 2 Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate how existing municipal data can be leveraged before investing in new systems.

2. Develop a phased, low-risk approach to AI implementation that includes staff engagement, transparency, and measurable outcomes.

3. Distinguish between formal AI adoption, shadow IT, and vendor-integrated AI, and apply appropriate oversight strategies to each.

4. Assess AI and innovation initiatives through the lenses of privacy, equity, governance, and long-term cost.

5. Identify key questions to ask vendors regarding data ownership, use, and security.

Module 3: Security and Risk Management

Module 3 Learning Objectives:

1. Explain cybersecurity as an executive-level fiduciary responsibility.

2. Identify the essential elements of technical competence required to reduce organizational risk.

3. Define clear ownership and authority for cybersecurity oversight.

4. Differentiate between preventative controls and incident response planning.

5. Interpret assessment results and reporting dashboards to support informed leadership decisions.

Module 4: Policy and Future Considerations

Module 4 Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate technology initiatives based on community need rather than vendor-driven trends.

2. Integrate digital equity, accessibility, and ADA considerations into technology decision-making.

3. Identify the four pathways through which AI enters municipal organizations and determine appropriate governance responses.

4. Apply transparency and public engagement strategies to maintain trust in technology-related decisions.

5. Recognize how technology choices communicate community values and policy priorities.