HomeMy WebLinkAboutFUTURE READY VIRGINIA BEACH AI TRAINING COLLABORATION WITH BATTEN UNIVERSITYFuture Ready VB
Future Ready VB: AI Training Collaboration
Peter Wallace, CIO & Tracy Lyles, IT Enterprise Architect
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September 8th, 2026
Future Ready VB: Agenda
•AI Vision/Observations
•Benefits for the City
•Future Ready VB Experience
•What does this mean for our City?
•Q & A
2
AI Vision/Observations
•Implement cross-departmental collaboration & use case documentation.
•Collaborated with multiple city departments to identify operational efficiency
gaps.
•Documented over 70 AI use cases tailored to departmental needs.
•Assessment of AI Tools and Platforms
•Evaluated tools to address the documented AI use cases.
•Currently, the City utilizes two platforms to fulfill requests
•Plans are underway to implement an AI gateway, enabling access to
additional tools and fostering growth and learning across departments.
AI Vision/Observations
AI Governance, Policies, Standards and Guardrails
•Recognizing the evolving nature of AI, established robust policies, standards,
and guardrails to ensure responsible and secure adoption.
Capacity Building and Innovation
•Identified the need for comprehensive training to support enterprise-wide AI
adoption.
•Propose the creation of a future innovation lab to drive ongoing
experimentation and development.
Benefits
•Enhanced Opportunities for efficiencies
•Accelerated decision making
•Moves the Organization to Innovation
•Adjustment in the workforce (create opportunities
to have new skills)
•Improved customer experience
Future Ready VB Experience
Training Collaboration with
Batten University
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Future Ready VB: Training Collaboration
Innovation Leadership and Future Readiness
•Virginia Beach is recognized as a leader in municipal AI innovation. Through the
Future Ready VB Model: One of our goals is to implement a space for learning in
development. The future AI Innovation Lab serves as a dedicated space for
developing technology solutions tailored to our city’s needs. By forming strategic
public-private partnerships, we are building an innovation ecosystem that
reaches beyond city limits.
•This model allows us to commit to launching AI pilot programs and provide
learning settings to build our workforce and establish key technology
partnerships, ensuring a steady flow of education, and innovation for Virginia
Beach.
Future Ready VB: Training Collaboration
Workforce and Educational Evolution
•The City’s AI strategy places significant emphasis on workforce enhancement and
educational development. A workforce capable of leveraging AI technologies
effectively is created through the Executive Emerging Technology Academy and
comprehensive AI upskilling programs.
• The development of AI apprenticeship opportunities and partnerships with
educational institutions ensures a sustainable talent pipeline while creating
career pathways for residents. This focus on human capital development ensures
that our workforce capabilities match our technological advancement.
Future Ready
VB: Training
Collaboration
Batten University partnered with the City IT
department to develop an introductory curriculum
on Artificial Intelligence. Four customer
departments participated, with classes covering the
following topics.
•AI fundamentals
•Essentials for professionals
•Workplace tools
•Ethical, legal, and responsible AI
•AI and data analytics
•Cybersecurity and risk management
This program equips City staff with practical AI
knowledge and skills for responsible innovation.
Future Ready
VB: Training
Collaboration
Student Experience
Participants in the AI curriculum benefited from a well-
rounded, hands-on learning environment:
•Gained practical experience using city-approved AI
tools
•Developed department-specific use cases
•Engaged in inter-department collaboration and
knowledge sharing
•Learned principles of responsible AI use
•Had direct access to developers and Cyber/Data team
members for in-depth questions
•Participated in a team-based AI project (currently in
progress)
This approach empowered students to apply AI solutions
responsibly and collaboratively within city operations.
Future Ready
VB: Training
Collaboration
Student Comments
•“This training was incredibly helpful to me as a
reluctant user of AI/CoPilot. The training gave me a
comprehensive ability to understand the strengths and
weaknesses of using LLMs. It also provided helpful
vocabulary and the ability to better understand the
functions and expectations when evaluation products
from vendors.” (Public Utilities)
•“My experience with the course was very educational. I
have been able to teach my team and encourage the
use of the COVB Copilot. I will be using Copilot more in
my daily routine. I have learned to be more cognizant
of AI tools in other applications I use throughout my
work day. “ (Housing and Planning)
Future Ready
VB: Training
Collaboration
“The overall experience with the class was
great. I was able to walk away
knowledgeable in a subject that I had very
little experience (Generative AI). Was glad
there were plenty of demos and discussion
periods and not all instruction of course
material. Another benefit was the
instructor was personable and shared
various experiences relate to the course
material.” (Convention and Tourism
Department)
What does
this mean for
our City?
AI is not just an Information Technology initiative it’s a
service platform that enables the City to drive
efficiency and innovation when used responsibly. The
proof of concept opened the door to:
•Increased cross-departmental collaboration
•Ideas for forming an AI user group
•Greater participant engagement in the process
•Leadership opportunities for team members within
their departments
•Inspiration for new departmental AI use cases
Together, these efforts will bring automation and
efficiency to our constituents and departments,
aligned with the City’s goals.
Future Ready VB Experience
Q & A
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