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Webinar 4 – AI Search and Your Digital Narrative
4 of 4 of the AI Series
Residents are increasingly finding answers through AI search tools, sometimes without visiting an agency website. What do those tools say about your agency, and where does their information come from?
Elizabeth Edwards will explore how public information appears in AI generated answers and what communicators can do to make authoritative agency information easier to find and understand. You’ll leave with a clearer way to assess your agency’s presence in AI search and identify opportunities to improve it.
What You’ll Learn:
Webinar 3 – Building Your AI Knowledge Base
3 of 4 of the AI Series
A generic AI tool does not know your agency’s services, priorities or community. Giving it reliable context can make its assistance more useful, whether you’re preparing a briefing, planning a campaign or working through a communications challenge.
In this session, Elizabeth Edwards will show how to organize the information and instructions that help AI work within your agency’s context. You’ll consider applications for community engagement, council or board communications, campaign messaging and crisis preparation.
What You’ll Learn:
Applied AI in Local Government: Practical Skills for Public Sector Leaders
by the Davenport Institute - In Person Training
Join the Davenport Institute on December 2-3 for our Applied AI for Local Government workshop. This hands-on session is designed to help local government professionals navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape with practical, actionable strategies.
Before the Reveal: Building Public Trust in Crime-Fighting Technology
License plate readers, surveillance cameras, and predictive analytics help agencies recover stolen vehicles, find missing people, and reduce property crime. Even so, dozens of local governments have turned off cameras, canceled vendor contracts, or rejected proposed agreements outright. In almost every case, the technology worked. The problem was that residents learned about it after the fact, through a news story, a public records request, or an audit finding. The technology itself rarely erodes public trust. Poor communication does.
Webinar 2 – Bias, Ethics and Responsible AI in the Public Sector
2 of 4 of the AI Series
When a government agency uses AI, the stakes extend beyond whether the output sounds polished. A response can omit relevant perspectives, make unsupported claims or introduce bias into information the public relies on.
This session examines responsible AI use through the lens of transparency, equity and public trust. Elizabeth Edwards will introduce the Biased Prompt Protocol and discuss how communicators can put practical checks around AI use, especially when working with sensitive topics or community specific information.
What You’ll Learn:
Webinar 1 – AI Tools and Workflows for Government Communicators
1 of 4 of the AI Mastermind Series
Public information officers are being asked to produce more content across more channels, often with limited staff time. AI can help with the first steps of that work, but knowing where it fits into a government communications workflow takes judgment.
In this session, Elizabeth Edwards will walk through practical uses of AI for public notices, media responses, social media posts, community newsletters and internal briefings. You’ll explore ways to get useful drafts and ideas while keeping accuracy, accessibility and human review at the center of the process.
On-Camera Training Webinar
Are you new to the communications, getting more media calls on a specific issue, or preparing for a potential crisis of confidence? Maybe you’re a seasoned communicator looking to sharpen your on-camera skills. CAPIO is offering a special one-hour webinar featuring veteran practitioner Scott Summerfield of SAE Communications.
Central Coast Weather Outlook, Past El Niño Impacts Workshop
Interactive Workshop free for CAPIO Members
Join National Weather Service’s Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Todd Hall, for an insider look at the Central Coast weather outlook, past El Niño impacts, and what today’s watches and warnings really mean. Then take part in an interactive workshop where PIOs turn technical forecasts into clear public messaging and leave with ready‑to‑use messages and practical takeaways to boost community preparedness. The event will be held October 21 from 9 a.m. – noon at the Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Center, 4408 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
Partner Spotlight
Free Webinar featuring our CAPIO Annual Partners Tripepi Smith, CivicPlus, and Revize
Are you seeking solutions to take the load off of your staff in 2027? Learn more about how our CAPIO Annual Partners can assist you on your upcoming projects or technology through this free informational webinar.
This informative webinar will be just 30 minutes long – with 15 minutes for each partner to share key information about their platform or service for government agencies.
Basic AI Upskilling: What to Consider When Creating Your Custom GPT Using OpenAI ChatGPT
Power Lunch Webinar
Discover how the City of San José is helping staff harness artificial intelligence to work smarter and serve residents better. This introductory session distills key lessons from the AI Upskilling Program, a partnership with San José State University designed to build employees’ understanding and confidence in using Generative AI (GenAI). You’ll learn the basic principles behind creating your own custom GPT: what to consider before building, how to align your tool with your department’s needs, and an example of a City-created GPT that helps staff save time on everyday tasks.
Credibility by Design: Leading with Trust in an Age of Scrutiny
Credibility is no longer assumed because it is now evaluated in real time. Every word, delay, and mistake gets screenshotted and shared before the context catches up. Trust is shaped not only by what an organization says, but especially by what you do and how well, quickly and consistently you handle your issues.
Ask Me Anything: From Communications to Leadership
Nor Cal Region CAPIO Member Opportunity
Where can a career in communications take you? Sometimes, all the way to the executive suite.
Join CAPIO’s Northern California Region for a candid virtual conversation with public-sector leaders whose careers demonstrate how communications experience can become a foundation for broader leadership.
Basic AI Upskilling: What to Consider When Creating Your Custom GPT Using OpenAI ChatGPT
Power Lunch Webinar
Discover how the City of San José is helping staff harness artificial intelligence to work smarter and serve residents better. This introductory session distills key lessons from the AI Upskilling Program, a partnership with San José State University designed to build employees’ understanding and confidence in using Generative AI (GenAI). You’ll learn the basic principles behind creating your own custom GPT: what to consider before building, how to align your tool with your department’s needs, and an example of a City-created GPT that helps staff save time on everyday tasks.
Government Experience Virtual Summit -AI, Engagement & Trust in the Digital Era
Webinar with Annual Partner Granicus
Artificial intelligence is creating new possibilities across government, but measurable outcomes require more than technology alone.
Join government leaders and industry experts at the Government Experience Virtual Summit on Thursday, September 17 to explore how agencies are improving service delivery, increasing efficiency, and strengthening resident trust through better experiences.
On-Camera Training
In Person – Southern CA
CAPIO Members Exclusive - Newport Beach Area
Are you new to the PIO field, or getting more media calls for a specific issue or pending crisis of confidence? Maybe you’re a seasoned communicator but want to hone your skills. CAPIO is offering a limited number of free, personalized one-hour, in-person training sessions from veteran practitioner Scott Summerfield of SAE Communications.
On-Camera Training
In Person – Northern CA
CAPIO Members Exclusive - Sacramento Area
Are you new to the PIO field, or getting more media calls for a specific issue or pending crisis of confidence? Maybe you’re a seasoned communicator but want to hone your skills. CAPIO is offering a limited number of free, personalized one-hour, in-person training sessions from veteran practitioner Scott Summerfield of SAE Communications.
Central CA Website Accessibility – Building a Bridge for Everyone
Virtual Opportunity for CAPIO Members and Non-Members
Virtual Educational and Networking Opportunity for Central Ca
CAPIO Elevate Kickoff Meeting
Virtual Informational Meeting
Join us for the CAPIO Elevate kickoff meeting! This introductory session will provide an overview of the new program, opportunities for involvement and a chance to connect with fellow early-career public sector communication professionals from across California.
Developing an AI Policy: A Communications-First Approach
Presented by CAPIO and ACWA
AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday operations in public agencies, creating new opportunities as well as new questions around governance, transparency, and public trust. As agencies explore AI tools for content creation, research, customer service, and internal operations, many are finding that a clear policy is essential to ensure responsible and consistent use.
Summer Social: Short-Form Video Storytelling for Public Agencies
Presented by CAPIO and Government Social Media
Short-form video is one of the fastest-growing ways public agencies share information and connect with their communities. Platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts offer new opportunities to expand reach and present government information in clear, engaging ways.