Clarity over complexity: How public leaders are navigating the age of AI 

Artificial intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it’s here, shaping decisions, transforming services and changing how the public experiences government. 

And yet, amid the noise and speed of innovation, one truth continues to guide our work at the Partnership for Public Service AI Center for Government: You don’t need to be an AI expert to lead in the age of AI. What is needed is the clarity to ask bold questions, the confidence to lead with purpose and the conviction to ensure your agency’s use of AI serves the public good. We hear it from federal, state and local agency executives alike: “I may not be a technologist, but I know what good leadership looks like.” That instinct is exactly what is needed right now. 

Leadership begins with purposeful questions  

Too often, AI projects begin with tools in search of problems.  And the most effective public-sector leaders start in a different place, grounded in mission and guided by impact. 

They ask: 

• What public value are we trying to deliver? 

• Who could be unintentionally excluded or harmed? 

• Does this system reflect the communities we serve? 

• Can we explain how it works—to our teams, to Congress to the public? 

These aren’t technical questions. They’re leadership questions. And they belong at the center of every AI conversation happening across government today. 

A leadership checklist for navigating AI in government 

The framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is for public executives at every level. Whether you’re evaluating a new tool, shaping an agencywide strategy or supporting your team’s capacity to lead, these questions should serve as your foundation: 

• Purpose alignment: Does this use of AI advance our mission—not just increase efficiency? 

• Data awareness: Do we know where the data comes from, and does it reflect those we serve? 

• Impact evaluation: Have we assessed who could be helped—or unintentionally harmed—by a specific use of AI? 

• Oversight and accountability: Who’s responsible for outcomes, and are governance processes in place? 

• Communication and transparency: Can we explain how the system works—to internal teams, external partners and the public? 

• Workforce readiness: Are our people supported with the tools and training they need? 

• Iteration and improvement: Are we learning, adapting and improving over time? 

This isn’t about adding complexity to leadership—it’s about leading with clarity in a moment that demands it. 

This is a leadership moment 

AI is changing how government operates and offering public leaders a rare opportunity: to shape the values, norms and practices that will define how technology serves society. The most important question isn’t what AI can do. It’s what we choose to do with it, and how we lead through that choice. 

At the Partnership for Public Service AI Center for Government, we believe the best AI strategies are built on leadership, not only infrastructure. And that leadership is already emerging, from chief information officers and policy advisors to HR executives and program leads. 

If your agency is taking steps to lead AI well, we’d love to learn from you. Join us as we highlight real-world AI use cases and convene public-sector leaders from across the country to share tools and insights to lead confidently in the age of AI. 

We’re here to help! 

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