Former California technology leader Amy Tong to lead new AI working group at Ballard Partners
Amy Tong, the former California government operations secretary and chief information officer who helped shape the state’s approach to artificial intelligence and digital modernization, has joined lobbying firm Ballard Partners.
Tong will lead the firm’s newly launched Emerging Technology and AI Practice Group, helping advise government clients navigating the increasingly complex intersection of emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and public policy.
The move comes after her tenure in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration as secretary of government operations, where she oversaw some of California’s most ambitious government technology initiatives, including its first statewide generative AI strategy, cybersecurity modernization efforts and broadband expansion projects. Her last day with the state’s government was Jan. 31.
Tong told StateScoop she sees an opportunity to help bridge the gap between technological innovation and public-sector policymaking as governments and businesses increasingly grapple with AI-related opportunities and risks.
“I just feel at this moment when AI is evolving so rapidly, we really need to find a way to curb the development of AI, but not so much that we stifle the innovation, and with a very balanced approach,” Tong, who started her new role on June 1, said in an interview. “We can focus on actual application of AI as opposed to a lot of conversation [around] developing the tool.”
Tong’s leadership on AI policy gained national attention in 2023 when California issued its first executive order governing generative AI use in state government. The order established guidelines for evaluating AI tools, procurement practices and risk management frameworks that have since influenced other states’ approaches to AI adoption.
While heading government operations, Tong stewarded the state through its first phase of artificial intelligence exploration in 2024. The state recruited five companies to develop pilot projects for customer service, health care facility inspections, highway traffic management, public safety and language accessibility.
Since those pilot projects, California has more widely deployed generative AI tools across state agencies to improve traffic flow, road safety and customer service. The state is also experimenting with a digital assistant for internal use, called Poppy, which launched in September. Poppy aims to serve as “an efficient, effective, and secure GenAI environment for state entities,” according to a state website.
Tong said she’s proud of the work California and other states are doing to regulate AI, but she hopes in her new role she can help nudge federal officials to move forward with nationwide regulation so AI policy isn’t disjointed across all 50 states.
“When it comes to AI, there’s been a lot of conversation that you don’t want a fragment of these states of AI regulations,” Tong said. “California does what needs to be done to set something going in the absence of a federal level regulation, but I think we can get the federals to move on a responsible growth environment for AI.”
During her time in state government, Tong managed a $67 billion government operations portfolio and oversaw more than $8 billion in technology investments and 22,000 employees. She also helped establish the California Cybersecurity Integration Center and played a key role in launching the state’s middle-mile broadband network initiative.
Though this will be her first venture in the private sector after 30 years in state government, she said she’s excited to test how her entrepreneurial spirit translates to working from the outside.
“My reputation in the public sector, you probably have heard. I’m like the entrepreneur inside of a bureaucracy to try to always push the limit for the big bureaucracy to operate differently,” Tong said. “Now I’ll actually get to experience that in the private sector, where entrepreneurship is key.”
Tong’s arrival expands Ballard Partners’ presence in California and strengthens its focus on technology policy at a time when state and federal governments are accelerating discussions around AI regulation, adoption and workforce impacts.
The firm said the new practice group reflects growing demand from organizations seeking guidance on AI governance, procurement, regulatory issues and government engagement.
“Amy’s experience leading one of the largest government technology portfolios in the country positions her uniquely to help clients understand how technology policy is evolving,” Ballard Partners founder Brian Ballard said in a statement.
