Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2025

Presented by Google, the One-Day Conference Explores the Impact of AI on Government, Business and the Workforce

HONOLULU—The Fourth Annual Hawaii AI and Cloud Innovation Summit: Presented by Google will take place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center. The summit is hosted by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) in partnership with Google Public Sector and TRUE Initiative.

This year’s event will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies are transforming government operations, enhancing workforce capabilities and opening doors for new public-private partnerships. Sessions will focus on practical tools for productivity, cybersecurity and innovation, as well as insights into future tech trends and workforce development needs.

“AI has the potential to significantly improve the way we work, serve and grow,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “This conference offers an opportunity for Hawaii’s leaders to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for a tech-forward future that supports our local economy and communities.”

“AI and cloud technology are changing the way we do business,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. “This event is about giving people the information and tools they need to improve operations, save time and deliver better services. It’s also a chance to hear directly from experts and connect with others who are already using this technology in their work.”

The full-day summit brings together Hawaii’s top technology leaders, government officials and industry experts to tackle one of the most pressing questions facing public administration today: How can AI and cloud technologies be deployed responsibly to improve government services, while ensuring security and equity for all communities?

Christine Sakuda, CIO at the state of Hawaii, will deliver the opening keynote on Hawaii’s roadmap to create a practical path forward for how AI can transform everything from permit processing to disaster response, while ensuring no community is left behind.

Panelists and speakers include representatives from government agencies, the University of Hawaii, the Small Business Development Center and industry experts from across Hawaii and the continental U.S.

In the afternoon, attendees will continue their learning in one of three concurrent breakout session tracks:

• Public-Private Partnerships for Growth explores how small businesses can leverage AI through collaboration with government agencies, featuring insights on winning government contracts with AI and establishing data-sharing agreements that protect privacy.
• Workforce Development tackles the human side of the AI revolution, mapping career pathways in an AI economy and demonstrating “Vibe Coding” – AI-powered service delivery through chatbots, automated permit processing and disaster-response analytics.
• Secure Government and Cyber Resilience addresses the critical security challenges facing government AI adoption, including threat landscape analysis specific to Pacific Command operations and hands-on sessions with Google Security Operations and its Security Information and Event Management/Security Orchestration, Automation and Response platform.

This summit emphasizes actionable outcomes. Attendees will see live demonstrations of AI-powered government services, learn specific procurement strategies for AI vendors and participate in hands-on sessions with enterprise-grade security tools.

The event is complimentary for government employees (limited availability) and $25 for all others. Registration includes a boxed lunch; parking is not included.

For more information or to register, visit www.truehawaii.org/ai-summit. Seating is limited and early registration is encouraged.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT)
DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation-sector job growth.

About TRUE
The TRUE Initiative is a public-private partnership dedicated to accelerating technology adoption across Hawaii’s businesses and government agencies. By fostering collaboration between industry leaders, educators, and policymakers, TRUE helps organizations solve shared challenges through innovative, tech-driven solutions. Its mission is to drive economic diversification, support workforce development, and create high-value tech jobs that keep talent rooted in the Islands. Through summits, working groups, and pilot projects, TRUE empowers Hawaii to lead in digital transformation.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laci Goshi
Communications Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Cell: 808-518-5480

Dennis Ling
Business Development and Support Division Administrator
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii
Phone: 808-587-2755

Nicole Cacal
Executive Director
TRUE Initiative