Why Governments Can’t Afford to Ignore AI: Infinite Leverage, Data Ethics, and the Future of Work
If you're in government and you're not using AI as a productivity tool, you’re not just falling behind — you’re being negligent. That’s a bold statement, but it reflects where we are today. AI isn't a future tool. It's a now tool. And it's reshaping everything — from how governments operate to how kids learn.
What Happens When You Let AI Lead: A Real RFP Story
Recently, I came across an open bid from the City of St. Albert in Alberta. They were looking for recommendations on how to improve their recreation and parks website. I decided to test something.
I fed the RFP into an AI agent called Proxy, built by a London startup named Convergence. Proxy crawled the city’s website and generated tailored recommendations — instantly. Then I took that output and dropped it into OpenAI’s Deep Research, which gave me a McKinsey-level strategy report.
But I didn’t stop there.
Using Replit, an AI-powered development tool, I started actually building a prototype of the new website. I didn’t just analyze the RFP — I practically fulfilled it. For free. In a few hours. All powered by AI.
That’s the world we live in now.
If you're issuing an RFP today, it shouldn't just be about what a vendor can offer. It should start with: "Here’s what AI has already helped us explore — now show us what you can build on top of that."
The Future of Work Is Already Here — and It’s AI-Powered
That same morning, I tested Google Gemini, an AI that stays with you in real-time. I asked it to help me identify cars in a salvage yard — something I know nothing about. It did it effortlessly.
Now imagine that co-pilot sitting with:
A surgeon in an operating room.
A teacher guiding a student through algebra.
A city planner making zoning decisions.
AI is no longer a novelty. It's how work gets done.
Don’t Just Begin With the End in Mind. Build With It.
We’ve always been told to begin with the end in mind — have a vision, then work toward it. But in this AI-driven world, I say: Build with the end in mind.
Start with 100 AI-generated ideas, prototypes, or designs. Use them as fuel. Then refine, test, and evolve. AI isn’t the output — it’s the starting point.
It’s not about outsourcing creativity. It’s about accelerating it.
Why “Northern Grit” Still Matters in a High-Tech World
I’m from Alberta — the “deep North.” When people ask me what keeps me here, the answer is simple: grit.
We don't have everything at our fingertips. No endless sunshine or tech giants on every corner. But what we do have is perseverance. A work ethic born from doing more with less.
There’s even research to back it up — a study in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization found that people from harsher climates often show higher levels of industriousness and resilience.
But grit alone isn’t enough anymore. We need to pair it with smart tools. And right now, AI offers us infinite leverage.
Infinite Leverage: Why One Person Can Now Build a Billion-Dollar Business
Here’s the shift: You can now do exponentially more with exponentially less.
You can leverage:
Freelancers and gig workers around the world
APIs, cloud services, and AI agents
Media platforms to amplify your voice
Open-source tools that scale with zero cost
The most disruptive force in the world today isn’t a technology. It’s the individual who knows how to use that technology well.
That’s what infinite leverage means — and it’s already happening.
The Data Question: Who Owns What?
One of the most important conversations we need to have right now is around data sovereignty.
Who owns the data you feed into AI systems? Where does it live? What are the privacy implications?
The good news: we're starting to see a rise in open-source models that organizations can run locally — on their own servers, with full control over their data. This could shift the power balance back to users, institutions, and even governments.
And that matters — especially if we want innovation to be responsible.
AI in Education: It’s Not About Memorizing Facts Anymore
When people worry that students will use AI to cheat, they’re missing the bigger picture.
AI gives us a chance to rethink education. It’s no longer about memorizing facts. It’s about understanding behavior, history, and cause-and-effect. It’s about teaching kids how to ask better questions and solve real problems.
And yes — even as a parent of young kids (8, 5, and 2), I’m figuring it out in real time too. None of us have the full answer yet. But if we stay curious, keep learning, and use AI wisely, we’ll get there.
What About AI’s Environmental Impact?
A lot of students are now asking: “Isn’t AI bad for the planet?” It’s a great question — and a real one.
But here’s the thing: the same AI that consumes energy can also solve energy problems.
New AI models, like the one from China’s DeepSeek, are showing 96% energy improvements compared to earlier versions. AI could help us build smarter grids, predict usage patterns, and discover entirely new ways to store and distribute energy.
We’re at the beginning of something big — and better efficiency is part of that future.
Final Thoughts: Innovation Is Everyone’s Responsibility
AI isn’t just a productivity hack. It’s a catalyst — for creativity, problem-solving, equity, and progress.
But to unlock its full power, we need three things:
Curiosity over fear
Responsibility over hype
Collaboration over competition
So whether you’re in government, education, business, or tech — this isn’t a wait-and-see moment. It’s a build-and-lead moment.
Let’s not just adapt to the AI revolution — let’s shape it.
About the Author:
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.