Ballard Partners Launches AI Practice Group, Names Former California Tech Official as Leader
Ballard Partners, a government relations firm, is launching an Emerging Technology and AI Practice Group and hiring Amy Tong as a partner to lead it. Tong previously served as California's Secretary of Government Operations and Chief Information Officer under Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Tong will work from the firm's Sacramento office, advising clients on how government policy intersects with technology and artificial intelligence. The practice group addresses growing demand from clients seeking guidance on emerging tech regulation.
What Tong Managed in State Government
During her tenure in California government, Tong oversaw a $67 billion portfolio and managed more than $8 billion in technology investments. She created the state's Cybersecurity Integration Center, managed broadband expansion efforts, and led implementation of California's first Generative AI Executive Order in 2023.
That executive order established how California would use and purchase artificial intelligence technologies. The order gave the state a formal framework for managing AI adoption across agencies.
Why Government Officials Need This Expertise
Government agencies increasingly face decisions about AI procurement, cybersecurity, and technology modernization. Officials who understand both the technical side and the policy implications are rare-Tong has worked on both.
Brian Ballard, the firm's founder and president, said the new practice group will help clients navigate the intersection of technology innovation and government policy. "As tech innovation, artificial intelligence, and government policy become increasingly intertwined," Ballard said, "Amy will offer unique insights."
For government professionals evaluating AI tools or developing technology strategy, understanding how policy and procurement interact matters. Tong's experience implementing statewide AI frameworks directly applies to those decisions.
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