Stephen Caines

tephen is an accomplished technology policy professional with a proven track record of success in Government, Academia, and the Public Sector. He currently serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and Budget Director for the City of San José and Senior Advisor to Mayor Matt Mahan. Stephen leads the Mayor’s Office of Technology and Innovation in developing innovation based public-private partnerships, enhancing city services through pilots and process optimizations, and promoting best practices through initiatives like the GovAI Coalition. Stephen has lead or played a pivotal role in a variety of City initiatives like AI For All, the San José AI Incentive Program, and the AI Center for Civic and Social Good. As Budget Director, he serves as the lead author of the March and June Budget Messages, oversees departmental proposals, and plays a vital role in engaging with the community and public interest sector on budget related issues.