You’ve probably felt it in your work, with new AI solutions emerging almost daily and promises of efficiency and innovation piling up while local governments face growing demands. Without the right knowledge, local government leaders can quickly fall behind, missing opportunities to turn these tools into real community impact.

Choosing the right AI solutions now is about more than simply evaluating technology. It requires understanding the market, asking the right questions, and negotiating effectively to ensure communities receive real value.

That’s exactly what From Passive Buyers to Power Buyers will cover, a keynote from Rachel Stern at this year’s Local Government Reimagined Conference: The AI Edge in Orlando, Florida. As founder and managing partner of Govtech Ventures, she brings years of experience in GovTech investing and strategy to help local leaders make smarter, more confident decisions.

Closing the Knowledge Gap

The AI procurement landscape is evolving quickly, offering both opportunities and risks for local governments. Too often, leaders react to vendor pitches instead of shaping their technology strategy proactively. This reactive approach can slow innovation, waste resources, and limit AI’s potential impact on communities.

City and county leaders face this challenge daily, reviewing proposals from vendors of all sizes, weighing potential benefits against operational and ethical risks, and balancing modernization with accountability. Drawing on her experience across the GovTech ecosystem, Stern provides practical guidance for moving from cautious observer to confident, strategic buyer. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable strategies to implement immediately and insights to share with their teams.

For those eager to start learning now, Stern's Substack offers weekly insights on trends, best practices, and lessons in state and local AI adoption.

The goal is not to chase every new tool. Instead, leaders must make deliberate decisions that align with their community’s priorities. Making informed decisions requires knowing the market, asking the right questions, and preparing ahead.

From Technology Approval to Strategic Impact

Leading in AI goes beyond approving new systems, it involves fostering a culture of thoughtful decision-making and equipping teams to use technology responsibly.

In her work advising and investing in GovTech companies, Stern emphasizes that strategy, ethics, and critical thinking are essential tools for navigating today’s technology landscape. For local government leaders, that means:

• Carefully evaluating vendors and asking questions that reveal real value.
• Assessing AI solutions for tangible community impact, not just marketing claims.
• Negotiating agreements with transparency and long term benefits in mind.

No leader can predict every technological disruption. But they can prepare their organizations to adopt AI strategically and ethically, turning emerging tools into meaningful outcomes for their communities.

Join Us at the 2026 Local Government Reimagined Conference: The AI Edge

If your community is exploring AI tools or preparing for the next wave of technology decisions, this session offers practical insights to navigate the market with confidence. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to apply immediately. They’ll also have opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders across the conference.

Register now to join Rachel Stern in Orlando, Florida, and become a more informed, strategic buyer of AI technologies.

General Session: From Passive Buyers to Power Buyers: How to Win in the Age of AI Procurement
Featuring: Rachel Stern
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.

View the full conference schedule to see all sessions and events.