Jason Frame, Chief Information Officer of the Southern Nevada Health District, joins Human Signals to discuss his unique perspective on AI in the public sector. He shares his experience navigating the tech landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of aligning AI solutions with real-world pain points, and his vision for a future where technology enhances both customer and employee experiences.

Episode timestamps:

• (0:00) Introduction & The COVID-19 Rollercoaster: Jason describes the Southern Nevada Health District's role and the challenges they faced during the pandemic, from contact tracing to testing and vaccine distribution.

• (2:00) The AI Hype Cycle & Public Sector Realities: He delves into the gap between the excitement around AI and its practical implementation, highlighting the need for regulation, addressing fear-mongering, and prioritizing customer and employee experiences.

• (6:00) Finding the Right Use Cases & ROI: Jason shares real-world examples of AI automation in his organization, including lab testing data entry and outbreak call center optimization. He emphasizes the need for tangible ROI to justify AI adoption.

• (10:00) Addressing the Digital Divide & Serving Marginalized Communities: He discusses the ethical considerations of AI, particularly in the context of public health, and the need to address the digital divide to ensure equitable access to technology and services.

• (15:00) AI for the Back Office & Employee Experience: Jason explores the potential of AI to improve internal processes, such as billing and policy management, and enhance employee experience through streamlined workflows and automated support systems.

• (20:00) A Call for Collaboration & Focusing on Experience: He calls for greater collaboration between the tech sector and end users, urging a shift from talking tech to prioritizing the customer and employee experience. Jason concludes with a memorable anecdote about the rapid evolution of AI and the need for careful implementation.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from a seasoned IT leader who's bridging the gap between AI hype and reality in public health.