Former California officials launch nonprofit to modernize state services

On Thursday, a group of former government officials launched the California Center for Government Innovation, a nonprofit focused on modernizing the state’s digital services by encouraging government agencies to adopt emerging technologies.

The center aims to be a resource for state agencies looking to use technology to increase government efficiency and better deliver state services to Californians, according to the group’s press release. The new organization will also host events and conduct research to help build stronger partnerships between government officials, industry experts, philanthropy and academia.

TechCA, an IT nonprofit, will provide administrative support and serve as a liaison to the technology industry in California.

“While progress has been made over the past decade to modernize the way state government partners with the private sector to upgrade technology systems, numerous challenges remain, especially with the rapid pace of technological innovation,” Marybel Batjer, who served as the first secretary of California’s Government Operations Agency and one of nonprofit’s founding members, said in the press release. “The CCGI will serve as a safe place to design and explore new approaches to delivering government services.”

In addition to Batjer, the coalition includes Michael Wilkening, former California Health and Human Services Agency secretary, who later served as adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom on innovation and digital services, and Keely Bosler, who served as Cabinet secretary for former Gov. Jerry Brown and directed the California Department of Finance during the Brown and Newsom administrations.

The announcement comes as emerging technologies, like generative artificial intelligence, have led states to reevaluate how they deliver programs and manage their operations.

“We plan to host an innovation lab for state leaders to consider the art of the possible, designed as a safe space for industry and government leaders to collaborate and share knowledge,” Wilkening said in the release. “The lab will explore improving government services through technology and process modernization, separated from the pressure of sales and other distractions.”