Tech can radically improve government |
05-27-2026IMPACT COUNCIL
Tech can radically improve government
Social work has shown how adopting AI functionality can improve lives for foster children.
[Photo: Getty Images]
The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of top leaders and experts who pay dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership, and more.
National Foster Care Month is a reminder that more than 330,000 children in the U.S. foster care system depend on an overburdened child welfare infrastructure and on the social workers working tirelessly to support them. At the same time, government leaders across the country are facing growing pressure to modernize public systems and deliver services more efficiently. The rapid momentum of AI and modern technology is creating a rare opportunity to do both.
From Washington D.C. to local agencies, government leaders are increasingly recognizing that modern technology and AI can help public systems operate more effectively and better serve communities. When implemented correctly, these tools can be transformative in driving better outcomes for communities and restoring public trust in government.
THE STATUS QUO TECH IS NOT WORKING
Legacy government vendors have overpromised and underdelivered with slow, bloated deployments. In fact, it’s estimated that only about 13% of large government IT projects fully succeed due to cost, scheduling, and performance. In addition, the average government IT project runs 310% of the original estimate. These unsuccessful deployments and........