On September 9, 2025, join SimplyAsk.ai and The City of Vancouver at MISA BC 2025 for a live discussion exploring the practical application of AI and automation in municipalities.
In a landscape filled with AI and automation buzzwords, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with how to get started.  We hope to help municipalities and other organizations cut through the noise with our discussion, in collaboration with staff from The City of Vancouver.
Session Details: A Practical Framework for AI in Government Title: How Canadian Cities are Moving AI & Automation Into Practice Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PSTLocation: Oak Bay Room (Level 1)
This presentation is structured for municipal leaders, IT professionals, and public sector innovators responsible for advancing technology within their communities. We will move beyond abstract concepts to offer concrete insights into successful AI adoption.
Meet the Speakers Our panel combines deep public sector experience with private sector technical expertise, presenting a complete perspective on using AIÂ for digital transformation.
Zane Frantzen , VP, Platform and Operations, SimplyAsk.ai: With years of experience guiding enterprise-level digital initiatives at public and private sector organizations, Zane excels at connecting complex business challenges with effective technology solutions. He provides extensive knowledge on architecting and implementing AI automation solutions to achieve maximum operational impact.Amy Vilis, Director, Housing Growth Innovation, Digital: With over four years working in strategic operations for digital services and affordable housing at the City of Vancouver, Amy's insights into public sector strategy and applying new technologies will be valuable to any municipality planning a similar transformation.Rene Cravioto , Senior Product Manager, Digital Services Innovation, City of Vancouver: Rene has over seven years of experience leading initiatives such as Enterprise Data & Analytics, Open Data, Verifiable Credentials and shifting towards component-based architecture of solutions to transform digital service delivery for permitting and licensing services.Key Discussion Points In our talk, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of:
The Current AI Landscape: We'll go over AI currently being in the trough of disillusionment, how many organizations are improperly setting up AI, and how municipalities should think about AI going forward (hint: don't go looking for problems with just an AI hammer!). Common Pain Points that AI Can Address: Learn to construct a compelling business case for AI and automation that aligns with core municipal goals. We will cover how to identify high-impact use cases and develop a phased implementation plan that delivers measurable, incremental value.Strategic Planning for AI Adoption: Learn to construct a compelling business case for AI and automation that aligns with core municipal goals. We will cover how to identify high-impact use cases and develop a phased implementation plan that delivers measurable, incremental value.Navigating Change Management: Effective technology integration requires more than just software. Our speakers will discuss proven strategies for addressing employee concerns and ensuring widespread user adoption across departments.Executing with Precision: Discover the essential steps for a successful rollout, from selecting the right technology partners to configuring platforms like Symphona for specific municipal workflows. The discussion will feature The City of Vancouver’s experience leveraging no-code tools to empower non-technical staff.Measuring Success and Realized Outcomes: How is the ROI of an AI project quantified? We will outline the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to monitor efficiency gains, cost reductions, and enhancements in service delivery.Lessons Learned from the Front Lines: Benefit from the valuable knowledge gained through The City of Vancouver’s journey in implementing AI tools and solutions. After our discussion is over, you will be equipped with the strategic and operational knowledge required to lead your organization's AI initiatives with confidence. We hope to see you there!
If you're already sold and want to explore the easiest ways to start comprehensively using AI, SimplyAsk.ai is your partner for unleashing business efficiency across your organization. Contact our sales team to discover how our digital transformation services can help you achieve intelligent operations.