Tech in 10: The Device Cliff & The AI Struggle -- Why Schools and Governments Are Stuck

Schools are facing a device apocalypse. Millions of laptops and Chromebooks purchased with pandemic emergency funding are hitting end-of-life—all at once. But the money that paid for them? Long gone. Meanwhile, state and local governments are under pressure to adopt AI, but only 3 states have actually made real progress. The rest are stuck in pilot project purgatory.In this episode of DALY Tech in 10, host Rick from DALY breaks down two critical challenges facing Maryland and Virginia schools and local governments:The Device Cliff - Why pandemic-era devices are failing simultaneously, how the end of ESSER funding created a replacement crisis, and what schools can do to avoid the digital divide widening again.The AI Adoption Struggle - Why 47 out of 50 states are still in early-stage AI experimentation, the four major barriers blocking progress, and what infrastructure you need BEFORE you can deploy AI successfully.Rick delivers practical insights for school technology directors, county IT leaders, and anyone managing public sector technology on tight budgets. Plus, dad jokes that are almost as painful as your device repair backlog.Topics covered: ESSER funding expiration, device lifecycle management, sustainable refresh cycles, AI governance frameworks, infrastructure requirements, workforce challenges, HP Futures initiativePerfect for: School CIOs, county IT directors, superintendents, public sector technology leaders in Maryland and Virginia