Across state and local government and K-12 education organizations, people are preparing for a major shift: the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday work. While many conversations focus on new applications or cloud-based tools, the real starting point is equipment: the laptop or desktop used by each employee, teacher, or field worker. 

As AI becomes more woven into our daily operations, government agencies are beginning to evaluate whether their existing devices can support modern workflows. Tasks like assisting with documentation, improving accessibility, translating communications, or accelerating data review are increasingly handled with the help of AI. Ensuring that employees have devices capable of running these tools smoothly and securely is becoming a foundational part of technology planning. 

Public sector organizations across the country are already seeing benefits from adopting AI-ready devices. In the classroom, students and teachers use AI-supported accessibility features, classroom assistance tools, and creative with applications that enhance learning such as through language translation and special education accessibility tools. In administrative departments, teams are reducing time spent on routine tasks through automated meeting summaries, quick-draft communications, and easier information processing. Field workers, inspectors, and public safety personnel are beginning to rely on AI-assisted analysis to review images, identify patterns, or surface the most relevant information, even while working in situations with limited connectivity. 

For many agencies, the question is not if AI will impact their operations, but how to prepare their workforce for it. Making thoughtful decisions during device refresh cycles ensures that technology purchased today can support the tools of tomorrow. Agencies that adopt AI-capable laptops and desktops now are positioning themselves for smoother transitions, more effective hybrid work environments, and improved service delivery in the years ahead. 

Cooperative purchasing pathways such as OMNIA Partners, TIPS, BuyBoard, and statewide agreements continue to make it easier for public sector organizations to source modern devices quickly and compliantly. And at every stage of the procurement, from evaluating needs to selecting models and navigating procurement, SCW provides a full team behind each customer. Our account managers, engineers, contract specialists, and support staff work together to help agencies build a device strategy that aligns with their mission and prepares their teams for an AI-enhanced future. 

The next era of government and education work is emerging, and preparing the workforce begins with the right technology placed in your hands.