Over the past few years, government agencies, counties and municipalities have accelerated modernization efforts through digitization and, in 2026, that momentum will only grow. The year ahead will usher in an automation-first era, where AI and intelligent content management play a central role in advancing transformation efforts and strengthening public trust.
By unifying fragmented data, addressing ghost content and embedding compliance-by-design, agencies can shift from reactive recordkeeping to proactive, transparent and data-driven governance. Below are three key predictions for the year ahead.
1. Automation-first will become the new standard for state and local government
In 2026, government agencies will begin looking at digitization more holistically. they will become the standard operating model for content management, with AI continuously identifying and classifying ghost content across legacy and siloed systems.
Agencies will leverage AI-powered content management to continuously identify and classify ghost content buried across legacy or disconnected systems.
If the Department of Transportation were to find thousands of outdated project plans across multiple servers, the agency could use AI-led classification and low-code automation to instantly identify expired records, archive them based on retention policies and highlight pertinent data sets. By surfacing this ghost content and connecting once isolated systems, agencies will reclaim valuable storage, reduce compliance risks and accelerate modernization.
Automation can connect agencies beyond just IT departments, enabling processes that routinely classify, clean and govern data at scale. This enables leaders to make decisions based on the full scope of trusted, actionable information while illuminating any duplicate or hidden content.
2. Trust-centered AI will transform records from static archives into living intelligence
A recent survey found 50% of Americans felt “uncomfortable” with AI use in government services while 59% believed the technology would aid in efficiently serving residents. The public knows AI will streamline their experiences with government agencies but need transparency in these tactics to gain trust.
In 2026, I see AI shifting from a back-office productivity tool to a front-line intelligence partner providing both efficiency gains and transparency to cultivate trust with constituents. For example, agencies can use AI-driven content management to classify sensitive documents, respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests faster and strengthen audit-ready compliance with greater transparency.
Instead of relying on AI as a black box, trust-by-default systems will combine human oversight with explainable AI to ensure decisions made from historical and real-time data are verifiable and equitable. AI tools used in allocating public resources will provide audit trails and reasoning to uphold public accountability. As a result, AI will become a force for accountability and clarity, turning decades of ghost content into a foundation for public confidence.
3. Interoperability and compliance-by-design will bridge the data divide
Inconsistent compliance and fragmented systems are some of the most significant barriers to seamless government services. In the year ahead, interoperability will be less centered around the movement of data between platforms and more about consistent governance.
AI-driven content management will aid in unifying information from multiple systems while automatically enforcing retention, security and compliance policies. As an example, a justice agency might manage records across law enforcement, courts and corrections. With embedded governance, sensitive data can be identified early, content will be consistently categorized and frameworks like those of the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) can be applied in real time.
A compliance-by-design approach reduces risk without hindering work. Embedded controls and audit trails will make governance automatic, while open APIs give organizations the opportunity to connect aging systems with modern, cloud-secure platforms. All of this will enable more rapid service delivery and increased transparency while maintaining the level of governance expected by the public.
Building a Smarter, More Resilient Government
Agencies that align automation, AI and governance will move beyond record management, to governing intelligence, enabling better decisions, stronger accountability and greater public trust. This shift is already underway, and the next chapter of government modernization will be defined by how well agencies turn information into insights.
Laserfiche offers intelligent orchestration and documentation tools that help government agencies modernize to meet the demands of 2026 and beyond. Discover how Laserfiche could advance your goals in the year ahead now.
Published: February 11, 2026
