GovEx Data Points

GovEx Data Points

A podcast about government and data. Telling stories from practitioners and academics about how data affects communities and the lives of residents.

  1. APR 30

    #110 - Beyond Dashboards: How Boston’s CDO is Rethinking City Services

    --- Boston’s Chief Research and Data Officer, Shin-pei Tsay, shares how cities can shift from analytics to impact by focusing on user experience, transparency, and practical AI use. --- This episode explores how the chief data officer role is evolving as cities move from experimentation to real-world results. Tsay reflects on Boston’s approach to using data and AI to improve services, from rethinking permitting to expanding access through open data tools. She shares why aligning teams around impact matters, how bringing people along during the process builds trust, and what it takes to make data more accessible across government. --- Learn more about GovEx --- Learn more about the Civic Analytics Network --- Fill out our listener survey

    24 min

  2. APR 15

    #109 – How AI Is Redefining the Chief Data Officer Role

    --- Justin Elszasz, former Chief Data Officer for Baltimore and GovEx advisor and CDO-in-Residence, shares what it takes to lead data strategy, navigate complexity, and guide responsible AI use in cities. --- Part of our Meet the CDOs miniseries, this episode explores how the chief data officer role is evolving alongside the rise of AI, why data sharing and governance remain persistent challenges, and how cities can move from curiosity to practical application. Justin reflects on the realities of leading in city government, from breaking down silos to helping teams learn and adapt, and highlights the importance of focusing on real-world use cases that improve outcomes for residents. --- Learn more about GovEx --- Fill out our listener survey

    34 min

  3. MAR 31

    #108 - Meet the CDOs: Melisa Breda on Trust and Responsibility in the Age of AI

    --- Melisa Breda, former Chief Data Officer for Buenos Aires, and GovEx advisor and CDO-in-Residence, shares a candid look at what it takes to make data and AI trusted tools of government. --- Part of our Meet the CDOs miniseries, this episode explores how the chief data officer role is evolving in the age of AI, why strong data governance remains the foundation of innovation, and how cities can move from experimentation to real impact. Melisa also highlights the growing importance of trust, transparency, and human-centered change management as governments navigate uncertainty and public perception around AI. --- Learn more about GovEx! --- Fill out our listener survey

    28 min

  4. MAR 12

    #107 - Trust Through Results: Data, Evidence, and the Future of Public Service

    --- Results for America CEO Michele Jolin and GovEx's Oliver Wise discuss how governments can use evidence, data, and cross-sector partnerships to fund solutions that improve lives and rebuild public trust. --- In this episode of the Data Points Podcast, GovEx Executive Director Oliver Wise sits down with Michele Jolin, co-founder and CEO of Results for America, to discuss how governments at every level can use data and evidence to invest in solutions that work. --- Michele shares how her experience in the Obama administration led to the creation of Results for America, an organization focused on helping governments fund programs proven to accelerate economic mobility and improve lives. The conversation explores the evolution of the data and evidence movement, the growing role of local governments as pragmatic problem solvers, and why demonstrating results and telling those stories is critical to rebuilding public trust in government. --- Learn more about Results for America --- Learn more about GovEx! --- Fill out our listener survey

    22 min

  5. FEB 23

    #106 - From Vision to Impact: Lessons from GovEx's First 10 Years

    --- Beth Blauer and Oliver Wise reflect on the roots, risks, and real-world impact of building a data-first culture in government. --- What began as a bold new idea for equipping cities with better data has become a national model for how local government leads with evidence. In this special retrospective, GovEx founder Beth Blauer joins current Executive Director Oliver Wise to share the untold stories behind the launch of GovEx, lessons from ten years in the field, and what governments must prioritize now, from data governance to community trust, to drive real impact. --- Learn more about GovEx! --- Fill out our listener survey

    58 min

  6. FEB 16

    #105 - From Potholes to Predictive Power: How One City Is Using AI to Stay Ahead

    --- With support from the City Data Alliance AI Track, Luján de Cuyo embraced AI and shifted from reactive repairs to proactive service delivery. --- Matías Meric, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, discusses his experience as one of the first eight city leaders to participate in the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance AI Track and the city’s journey from fragmented data systems to a proactive, AI-driven street maintenance strategy. The city launched a machine learning tool using cameras on garbage trucks to predict potholes, increasing detection precision and cutting manual inspection time. This conversation highlights the leadership, culture change, and commitment required to move from reacting to complaints to anticipating community needs. --- Learn more about GovEx! --- Fill out our listener survey

    30 min

  7. JAN 15

    #104 - What’s Your AI IQ? How Cities Are Measuring and Making Progress

    --- The AI Capacity Quiz is helping cities reflect, compare, and take confident steps forward --- The GovEx team created the AI Capacity Quiz to help local governments understand where they stand with AI and where to go next. In this episode, Mai-Ling Garcia, Justin Elszasz, and Michael Montgomery joined the podcast to talk about how the tool came to life, what makes it different from traditional assessments, and why it’s designed to encourage cities on their AI journey. --- Check out the assessment here --- Learn more about GovEx! --- Fill out our listener survey

    37 min

  8. 12/19/2025

    #103 - AI City Showcase: How Guatemala City is using AI to Combat Climate Change

    --- The city developed its AI prototype as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance AI Track --- As one of eight cities in the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance AI Track, Guatemala City worked with GovEx coaches to develop an AI prototype to determine where and how to build tree cover to best mitigate the impact of growing urban heat islands. City officials Julia Galindo and Griselda Valdez joined the podcast to talk about how they did it, what they learned, and why Latin America cities may be more eager to embrace the possibilities of AI. --- Learn more about GovEx! --- Fill out our listener survey

    22 min
See All (104)

4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

A podcast about government and data. Telling stories from practitioners and academics about how data affects communities and the lives of residents.

Information

  • Creator
    GovEx Data Points
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 GovEx Data Points
  • Show Website
    GovEx Data Points

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