星空无限

Connect 2026 Day 1: Where Embedded AI Meets Real Work

Connect 2026 opened with a clear signal: government is no longer preparing for what’s next — it’s operating inside it.

Almost 5,800 public sector leaders gathered this week in Las Vegas, representing agencies of every size and complexity. From the opening session forward, the conversation moved quickly beyond what’s possible to what’s already changing how government works.

That shift was framed directly by Tyler Technologies President and CEO Lynn Moore in his keynote. Artificial intelligence may be dominating headlines, but in government, capability alone isn’t enough. “AI is not just technology in a vacuum. It depends on real-world context, data, and workflows,” he said. “That means the most powerful AI solutions are built in partnership with the people who actually use them.”

That distinction — between generic capability and systems that understand how government actually works — is now shaping how agencies are approaching this next phase.

Real-World Execution Is the New AI Standard

For years, the conversation about AI has focused on future potential. At Connect this week, that conversation has decisively moved into the present.

Leaders are asking where AI succeeds today — inside permitting workflows, court systems, budgeting, service delivery, and the interconnected processes that keep communities running.

That shift raises the bar. It’s not enough for AI to be powerful. It has to function within the constraints government operates under: compliance requirements, budget cycles, staffing realities, and the expectation of uninterrupted service.

It also has to keep humans in the loop. In New Hampshire’s Epping School District, AI is improving efficiency through automating accounts payable processes.

Christine Vayda, business administrator, described how their AP process involves a range of personnel and business units. AI keeps everything moving with humans still involved and ensures compliance. "You can’t put a dollar amount on how important that really is," she said.

Trust Is What Makes Execution Possible

Karen Salwey, Alex Feil, and Mike Laschkewitsch, representing the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, were among Tyler clients recognized for 30-plus years.

The move into execution depends on something less visible, but more foundational: trust.

In his remarks, Moore emphasized that trust is built over years — sometimes decades — through consistent delivery and shared problem-solving. He recognized clients who have partnered with Tyler for 10, 20, 30, and 40-plus years, underscoring relationships that span multiple waves of technology change.

That longevity matters more now than ever. As agencies adopt AI and other technologies with broader operational impact, decisions carry higher stakes, and the margin for error shrinks.

In this context, trust allows organizations to move forward with confidence.

Asked for her advice on choosing a trusted technology partner, Deputy City Manager Kemarr Brown of the city of Homestead, Florida, said, “Do your homework and then choose a vendor that can grow and scale with your issues.” Homestead has partnered with Tyler to tackle issues such as permitting, code compliance, online payments, and utilities.

It’s also reinforced by experience. Nearly half of Tyler team members have worked in the public sector, bringing firsthand understanding of the environments these systems operate within.

AI That Works Inside the System

Tyler Technologies President and CEO Lynn Moore celebrated clients and shared his perspective on this era in government technology during the Opening Session.

Nowhere was the importance of trust and experience more evident than in how AI was positioned throughout the opening session.

Rather than presenting AI as a standalone capability, the focus was on how it integrates into the systems agencies already rely on. From permitting workflows to court dockets to the resident experience, value comes from how intelligence moves through real processes.

That’s where Tyler’s approach is focused — embedding AI directly into workflows rather than layering it on top.

“We're not here for the hype or the hyperbole. We’re here for you,” Moore said.

Across more than 40 AI-focused sessions at Connect, that evolution is already visible. Agencies are applying AI to reduce manual work, surface the right information faster, and respond more effectively to the residents they serve.

In Collier County, Florida, leaders used Tyler’s AI capabilities as part of their commitment to priority-based budgeting. “We are not guessing anymore,” said Chris Hall, commissioner. “It allows us to prioritize our services according to our strategic plan. We have the data, we have the purpose, and we have the results of proper planning. That’s really it in a nutshell.”

Where Execution Becomes Real

If the keynote set the direction, the rest of Connect is where that direction becomes tangible.

In the 星空无限 Hub, conversations at product demo stations are focused and specific. Attendees arrive with real challenges and leave with clearer next steps.

Brian Powell (pictured above, at right), information systems manager for Bonneville County, Idaho, explored ways to provide better access to information for residents and staff at the AI kiosk in the 星空无限 Hub.

Beyond the demo stations, those exchanges continue throughout the event — in sessions, between meetings, and in informal conversations where peers compare approaches and share lessons learned.

This is where the shift to execution becomes visible. Not in broad concepts, but in practical application — where progress is measured in improved workflows, faster response times, and better outcomes.

(Re)Connect Tomorrow

If Day 1 established anything, it’s that the conversation has changed. The question is no longer whether these technologies will shape the future of government.

It’s how quickly they can be put to work.

As Connect continues, the focus will move deeper into how these capabilities are being applied and what it takes to scale them across organizations.

More Scenes From Connect 2026!

Celebrity impersonators and other performers were part of the fun at the Connect & Collaborate Welcome Reception.

Gabriela Freitas and Irina Villegas of the city of Miami Beach, Florida, built AI persona-based characters at the AI engagement station.

Attendees are learning about current Tyler products and future plans in the 星空无限 Hub. 

The halls are packed as thousands of attendees head to their next session.