About Tyler Technologies
Tyler Technologies provides software solutions tailored to the needs of public sector organizations, including state and local governments, federal agencies, and school districts. Its platforms support a wide range of essential functions, helping public sector entities operate more efficiently and deliver services to their communities.
As someone who works closely with systems, strategy, and people, Accounting Advisory Senior Manager Vicki Dallas walked into the 2026 Tyler Technologies Connect Conference expecting product updates, roadmap discussions and practical takeaways. What stood out most, however, was a simple statement — repeated in different ways across sessions — to become the central theme of the experience:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. You need to decide what it can do for you and then use it.
That message didn’t arrive as hype or fear-based urgency. Instead, it was pragmatic and almost reassuring. AI wasn’t framed as a future disruption or a distant innovation. It was framed as a present-day tool already embedded in the systems we use, shaping decisions we make and influencing how organizations — from government to professional services firms like Cherry Bekaert and just about every industry in between — deliver services.
Moving the Conversation Past “If”
One of the most consistent aspects of Connect 2026 was how decisively the conversation moved past if organizations should adopt AI. Adoption is already happening, so the real question now is intentionality.
Speakers emphasized that AI is not a replacement for expertise, judgment or leadership. Instead, it’s an accelerator. Used thoughtfully, AI can reduce friction, surface insights faster, and free people to focus on work that requires human context and decision-making.
That framing mattered because it positioned AI as a shared capability that leaders, managers and frontline users all play a role in shaping.
Choosing What AI Does
A recurring idea throughout the conference — and one that strongly resonated with Vicki — was that organizations actually get to design AI’s role.
AI can:
- Automate repetitive, time‑consuming tasks
- Assist with data analysis, pattern recognition and forecasting
- Support documentation, communication and knowledge sharing
But it shouldn’t:
- Replace accountability
- Make unchecked decisions
- Operate without governance, transparency or human oversight
Several sessions highlighted real examples of organizations using AI responsibly — starting with small, well-defined use cases and expanding as trust and understanding grew, signifying that success doesn’t come from deploying AI everywhere but deploying it with purpose.
From Feature to Capability
Tyler Technologies showcased how AI is becoming embedded across platforms as a capability woven into everyday workflows, rather than a standalone feature. That distinction stood out as particularly important.
When AI is invisible but helpful by suggesting next steps, flagging anomalies, or summarizing complex information, it stops feeling intimidating and becomes just another way software works harder for its users.
That shift reinforces the idea about how AI delivers value only when people actively choose to engage with it. Ignoring automation tools does not slow progress down, nor does misusing it doesn’t unlock potential. Instead, attendees were encouraged to unlock value through thoughtful adoption.
Leadership in an AI-enabled Environment
Another key takeaway from the conference was how much leadership, both technical and cultural, matters in this AI moment.
Leaders set the tone by:
- Encouraging experimentation without fear
- Asking the right questions about ethics, data quality and outcomes
- Making it clear that AI is a support system, not a threat
The idea that “you need to decide what AI can do for you” is ultimately a leadership challenge. It requires clarity about goals, openness to change and a willingness to learn alongside teams.
Walking Away With Clarity
The 2026 Tyler Technologies Connect Conference provided both clarity and conviction. AI is not something on the horizon — it’s already part of how modern organizations operate. So, the opportunity now is to be deliberate about:
- Where AI adds value
- Where humans remain essential
- How we use these tools to serve people better
AI is here to stay. The advantage doesn’t belong to those who adopt it fastest, but to those who decide, with intention, how to use it well.
Your Guide Forward
As AI becomes more embedded in public sector systems, service delivery and nearly everything, organizations must take a deliberate approach to adoption. This often requires balancing innovation with governance, accountability and long-term impact.
Cherry Bekaert works with government and public-sector organizations to navigate digital transformation, helping clients evaluate, implement, and govern emerging technologies that both align with operational goals and compliance requirements.
