Contributed by 2024 Sheffield Emerging Leader of the Year recipient – Rebecca England
Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The size of the conference was awe-inspiring. With attendees from every corner of the globe, the event felt like a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing local governments worldwide. The conference program featured hundreds of sessions, workshops, and panel discussions covering everything from leadership in times of crisis to building resilient communities.
Reimagining Local Government with AI
Kicking off the conference with a bang was keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo, an expert in innovation and emerging technologies. His presentation on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in local government was incredibly insightful and thought-provoking. Kanungo didn’t just talk about AI as a distant possibility—he showed us it’s already here and poised to revolutionise how governments operate. He painted a vivid picture of how AI can streamline processes, from automating routine administrative tasks to customer service and to even create an online portal.
What really stuck with me was his message about mindset. Kanungo urged local government leaders to embrace AI not as a threat to jobs but as a powerful tool to enhance human ingenuity.
“In the future there will be two types of leaders. There will be leaders that leverage AI and there will be leaders that are irrelevant. That’s it.”
That statement felt like a wake-up call—a reminder that adapting to technological change is not optional but essential. It forced me to consider my hesitation to embrace AI and the opportunities that I may be passing by in my regular tasks.
After hearing Kanungo speak, I immediately re-prioritised my conference plan. AI had suddenly become a must-explore topic for me, so I headed straight to multiple other sessions focused on AI and its applications in local government.
One of the most practical and enlightening sessions I attended was “Addressing Road Maintenance Challenges Using Artificial Intelligence.” As someone involved in infrastructure planning, I found this session particularly relevant. We learned about how AI can be used to optimize road maintenance schedules, predict wear-and-tear based on traffic patterns, and even assess road conditions in real-time through smart sensors. The potential for AI to reduce costs and improve efficiency in maintaining essential infrastructure is enormous.
Another standout session was “AI in Action: Optimizing Everyday Tasks in Local Government.” This session offered a deeper dive into how AI can be used to streamline routine tasks like summarising documents, generating reports and managing emails. This presentation also covered important topics such as a risks and ethical considerations.
Since the conference, I have started using Microsoft’s Co-Pilot and Chat GPT in various situations and experiences at work. I have encouraged my colleagues to adopt similar practices and have observed an increase in my productivity in areas such as report writing, task management, and taking meeting notes. The conference was a crucial step in this learning journey.
Connecting and Learning
In addition to the AI-focused sessions, the ICMA Conference offered a diverse array of sessions that delved into various aspects of leadership, self-development, and growth within a local government career. One particularly engaging session on leadership explored strategies for cultivating inclusive and resilient teams, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership styles.
Another session focused on effective communication and community engagement as a small-town local government authority providing valuable insights on how an American local government had changed their approach in order to build trust and foster meaningful dialogue with their community members.
The conference also addressed crucial topics such as emergency management, where experts shared valuable lessons learned for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Drawing from my experience in the Cyclone Gabrielle response and recovery in Hawkes Bay, it was enlightening to observe the similarities and differences in the United States.
Networking sessions offered numerous opportunities to engage with peers from the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, and other regions. These sessions facilitated the formation of professional connections and enhanced my networking skills.
Exploring Pittsburgh
Beyond attending the conference, I took the opportunity to explore the city of Pittsburgh. I attended a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game, which provided an exciting local experience. Another highlight was an informative tour of the city on an open-top bus, where I gained insights into Pittsburgh’s rich industrial history from an engaging tour guide. Additionally, I visited the Phipps Conservatory, appreciating the exquisite plant displays, and spent time at Point State Park, enjoying both the views and the area’s historical significance.
Throughout my sightseeing, I enjoyed some quintessential American cuisine, including pizza and bagels. Overall, my visit to Pittsburgh was memorable; the city’s blend of historical charm and modern innovation made a lasting impression, allowing me to immerse myself fully in its unique character.
Post Conference
Since attending the ICMA Conference in Pittsburgh, I have been reflecting on the incredible experience and the valuable insights I gained. The sessions on AI in local government, infrastructure challenges, and leadership inspired me to think more critically about my role and aspirations. This experience has helped me better understand myself as a leader, reinforcing my passion for programme management and my desire to contribute to impactful infrastructure initiatives. It has also clarified the kind of professional environment I thrive in—one that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
