Register Now

AI adoption for Texas state agencies: from foundation to flight

Sep

16

,

2026

|

2:00PM

-

7:00PM

PDT

Register Now

About the event

AI tools are powerful—but without the right foundation, they won't scale. Join Amazon Web Services (AWS), Anthropic, and Applied Curiosity for a hands-on half-day designed to help Texas state agencies build an AI strategy that's secure, governed, and mission-ready.

This event brings IT and program area leaders together to explore how generative AI—including Claude through Amazon Bedrock—can accelerate your agency's mission.

Registration is limited to 70 attendees and is restricted to employees of Texas state and local government agencies or higher education institutions.

Who Should attend

IT Leaders, Engineers, and Developers evaluating or implementing AI/ML capabilities on AWS
Program Area Leaders and Business Staff exploring how AI tools like Claude can support research, analysis, and daily workflows
Technical Program Managers driving AI roadmaps within state government

Whether you're an IT leader or builder, or a program leader wanting AI tools to accelerate your mission, this day is designed to get IT and business moving together.

Agenda

8:30AM - 9:00AM

Coffee, breakfast, and friendly faces

Connect with AWS, Anthropic, Applied Curiosity staff, and peers from agencies across Texas before the day begins.

9:00AM - 10:00AM

AI operating model and adoption framework briefing

Applied Curiosity
Understand where your agency stands on the AI adoption curve and learn a practical framework for moving forward, covering ideation, pilot planning, governance, and organizational adoption. Learn how to frame organizational readiness, understand security, cost, and governance considerations, and discover what makes this moment different from prior AI hype cycles.

10:00AM - 11:00AM

Amazon Bedrock: Getting Started with Security & Governance

AWS

Explore Amazon Bedrock’s capabilities for building generative AI applications. Learn how to get started while maintaining the security and governance posture your agency requires. Includes live demos

11:00AM - 11:30AM

Lunch

Enjoy a complimentary lunch, recharge, and connect with fellow attendees.

11:30AM - 12:45PM

Hands-on Claude workshop

Anthropic · AWS · Applied Curiosity

Pre-provisioned accounts mean no setup is required before the event. This block covers the fundamentals—what Claude and Claude Code are, how they connect to AWS infrastructure, and your first real tasks. Designed so a program manager and a developer can both participate meaningfully at the same time, with no prior AI experience needed. You'll get oriented to Claude in AWS, complete hands-on tasks, and learn the critical components to start quickly and safely.

12:45PM - 1:00PM

Break

1:00PM - 1:30 PM

Hands-On Workshop — Continued

Anthropic · AWS · Applied Curiosity

More complex tasks, more autonomy, and guided support for those who want it. Dive deeper into Claude Code and Claude Cowork.

1:30PM - 2:00PM

Wrap-up & what comes next

Applied Curiosity

Walk away with key takeaways, a clear map of the three paths forward for your agency, and an open door for anyone ready to start a conversation. Reflect on what you figured out today and what it means for your agency, then leave with three defined next steps—Assessment, Pilot, and Production Rollout.

The Applied Curiosity, Anthropic, and AWS teams will be available for the remainder of the afternoon.

Day 2

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Breakfast

Breakfast. registration will take place five minutes before breakfast.

10:00AM - 11:00AM

The horizon of AI

The emerging world of artificial intelligence and machine learning by Matthew Hartman and partner, Betaworks.

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Startup evangelist of the month

Welcome Mackenzie Kosut, AWS startup evangelist

Day 3

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Breakfast

Breakfast. registration will take place five minutes before breakfast.

10:00AM - 11:00AM

The horizon of AI

The emerging world of artificial intelligence and machine learning by Matthew Hartman and partner, Betaworks.

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Startup evangelist of the month

Welcome Mackenzie Kosut, AWS startup evangelist

Day 4

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Breakfast

Breakfast. registration will take place five minutes before breakfast.

10:00AM - 11:00AM

The horizon of AI

The emerging world of artificial intelligence and machine learning by Matthew Hartman and partner, Betaworks.

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Startup evangelist of the month

Welcome Mackenzie Kosut, AWS startup evangelist

Feature topics

Feature topic

Database migration

Storage

Networking

Analytics

Machine Learning

Speakers

Sid Atkinson

Co-Founder and CEO, Applied Curiosity

Lee Harper, PhD

Co-Found and Chief AI Officer, Applied Curiosity

Shawn Deggans

Principal Solutions Architect, Applied Curiosity

Matt Milbrandt

State of Texas Representative, Anthropic

Sergio Ortega

Senior AI/ML Specialist, State & Local Government, AWS

FAQ

This section is intended to display event FAQs or detailed track information. If your event has both, duplicate this block.

When is the event?

The event is scheduled for Sep 30, - Oct 1 2025 | 7:00pm - 10:00pm. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Where is the event?

The event will be held at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Is there a fee to attend the event? If so, how can I pay?

No, this event is free to attend.

FAQ or Detailed Agenda

When is the event?

The event is scheduled for Sep 30, - Oct 1 2025 | 7:00pm - 10:00pm. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Where is the event?

The event will be held at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Is there a fee to attend the event? If so, how can I pay?

No, this event is free to attend.

Checkin

Please arrive at the venue by 9am to check in to the conference.

Resources

A guide to agile event programs that can survive anything

Explore why the most dynamic leaders are building strategies for agile event marketing with a focus on scaling in-person and virtual events that are fast, flexible, and hyper-effective at driving meaningful connections.

Crisis mode: ideas for managing events in challenging situations

Explore why the most dynamic leaders are building strategies for agile event marketing with a focus on scaling in-person and virtual events that are fast, flexible, and hyper-effective at driving meaningful connections.

How to build a rock solid agile events program

The old way of doing event marketing—a large, inflexible investment in a small number of tentpole events—doesn't fit into a business world that demands adaptability and speed.