NACo AI Leadership Academy
Equipping county leaders with the best insights, practices and tools to understand the power of AI, mitigate the risk of AI and navigate the complexity of cascading change occurring because of AI.
About NACo AI Leadership Academy
The NACo AI Leadership Academy is an innovative, completely online 6-week program created to equip frontline county government leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to understand and utilize AI to create higher levels of operational efficiency, organizational effectiveness and value for those they serve. (Click here to learn about NACo's Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Academy and here to learn about the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy.)
This robust curriculum, developed by the Professional Development Academy in partnership with NACo, provides lessons and insights from highly effective government leaders, proven industry executives, researchers and professors from top universities and subject matter experts. These professionals, along with an online Leadership Coach, address pressing issues facing county leaders today: understanding the power of AI, mitigating the risk of AI and navigating the complexity of cascading change occurring because of AI.
The leadership coaches facilitating this program will demystify AI with practical, relevant and immediately actionable cases, frameworks and tools for existing and emerging leaders in government. The work of government leaders has never been more challenging. This program addresses the challenge head-on and provides participants with engaging content that will increase confidence to lead with AI for good governance.
NACo AI Leadership Academy
"There is no question that we are experiencing a digital transformation. AI and other emerging technologies are influencing change in our communities, businesses and government. This Academy provides clarity of what's possible and approaches for implementing solutions in the best way possible"
~ Rita Reynolds, Chief Information Officer, NACo
"We see the AI wave coming. Being prepared is a choice, just as it is a choice to be unprepared. The NACo AI Leadership Academy has been designed to help leaders and their teams be proactively prepared."
~ Sybil Gurney, Assistant CIO Director, Alameda County, Calif.
2024 Dates
| Launch | Credentials | On-Boarding | Kickoff | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
November |
10/25/2024 |
10/30/2024 |
11/04/2024 |
12/20/2024 |
What makes NACo's AI Leadership Academy innovative?
Unlike other webinar-based distance learning programs that emphasize solo learning, NACo's AI Leadership Academy is built around interactivity and community, while retaining the convenience of self-paced learning.
The program is guided by an expert moderator to help keep participants on track, and a world-class faculty of prominent public, private and academic sector leaders deliver engaging and thought-provoking sessions.
NACo's AI Leadership Academy focuses on six practical modules:
- INTRODUCTION TO AI: Exploring the history, technologies and societal impact of AI and introducing an AI playbook for leaders
- THE PROMISE & PERIL OF AI: Understanding the unique opportunities and challenges in an era of AI and digital transformation
- YOUR AI ROADMAP: Navigating AI's potential and pitfalls, setting expectations and measuring stakeholder impact
- LEADING PEOPLE & AI: Leading the digital transformation is not just about installing emerging technology; it's about people
- AI OPTIMIZATION, MEANING & PURPOSE: Optimizing AI is grounded in ethical awareness, regulatory compliance, customer safety and workforce impact
- WHAT'S NEXT - THREE HORIZONS: Envisioning the future occurs over three horizons that can be used to plan, operationalize and leverage projects, programs and progress
A world-class faculty of prominent public, private and university sector leaders will deliver each course. All module content is guided by an expert moderator.
Who should participate?
Anyone in county government can participate, but the NACo AI Leadership Academy is designed for current and emerging leaders, particularly those who manage teams or are preparing to in the future.
What is the time committment?
The NACo AI Leadership Academy has been intentionally designed to accommodate the busy work schedules of county leaders. The Academy combines self-paced learning with peer-to-peer learning and Leadership Coach instruction.
Each week of the 6-week program is subdivided into lessons and learning busts of activities that will take about five hours each week to fully engage and complete. Weekly activities include about three hours of asynchronous work, so you can engage at the times that are most convenient for you. A one-hour breakout group discussion each week draws upon the power of peer-to-peer networking, while a weekly Friday 30-minute webinar allows your Leadership Coach to synthesize key takeaways from the week and outline the learning journey for the following week.
In addition to videos, reading, writing, self-assessments and self-reflection, participants are placed in a small group cohort where they'll build their network, receive support from peers and celebrate successes.
For managers:
Managers will receive regular dashboard reports outlining the progress of their enrollee(s). We encourage managers to meet with participants and review the program content as it relates to individual development plans.
What is the cost?
NACo Member County cost per enrollee begins at $595.
Additional discounts and scholarships may apply. Contact us for more details.
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Program Contacts
Spencer Taylor
Luke Afeman
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The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is an innovative, completely online 12-week program created to equip frontline county government professionals with practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities.
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