Human-Centered Government: AI Across the Employee Lifecycle

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape every stage of the government employee lifecycle, from recruiting and applicant screening to workforce development, employee engagement and retention. But realizing its potential requires public-sector organizations to balance innovation with transparency, governance and human oversight.

Recorded at the NASPE 2026 Annual Meeting, this episode of State Gov Today examines how state governments are approaching AI in human resources, addressing workforce shortages and modernizing the employee experience while keeping people accountable for consequential decisions.

Opportunity@Work’s Policy Agenda provides a roadmap for building a labor market where skills – not degrees — are the primary measure of value; where education, workforce, and employer systems are aligned; and where all workers have access to lifelong learning and advancement opportunities in a rapidly changing economy.

This playbook is designed to bring that agenda to life. Part I, focuses on Policy Area #1: Promoting skills as the key measure of value in the labor market, translating high-level policy priorities into practical strategies for policymakers.

Leading in Uncertainty: Embracing Improvisation, Agility, and Resilience

HR leaders are no strangers to guiding organizations through change, shaping policy, and driving continuous improvement. Yet many recognize that today’s public sector environment presents a particularly complex and sustained period of uncertainty, which is testing the resilience of both leaders and their teams.

The 2026 State and Local Government Workforce Survey contains indicators on recruitment, retention, benefits, and organizational culture, as well as artificial intelligence, hiring bonuses, and shorter workweeks.

This survey of public sector human resources professionals has been conducted annually since 2009 by MissionSquare Research Institute in collaboration with the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA) and the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE).