Author: Phoebe Simon
This year’s DrupalCon 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, kicked off with the “Government Summit,” a key gathering of professionals from local, state, and federal governments. The summit brought together experts who work on developing and delivering services to their communities. For those of us in the state of North Carolina, it was an incredible opportunity to learn, share ideas, and collaborate with peers from across the nation. These conversations didn’t just spark new ideas – they also allowed us to showcase the Digital Commons platform that we leverage to help improve state operations.
One highlight was the chance to present how North Carolina’s Digital Solutions team supports agency needs. A great example of this is Looker Studio, a collaborative solution we’ve adopted to help agencies track performance and drive results. Looker Studio provides near real-time dashboards that give teams critical data to support informed decision-making. For many attendees, this was a brand-new tool, and their positive response was encouraging. It was a reminder of how important it is to keep pushing forward and find tools that help improve our work.
But perhaps the most eye-opening moment of the conference came when the conversation turned to the future of websites in an AI-driven world. As more and more browsers use site content to generate responses, ensuring that the information on state websites is accurate, high-quality, and up-to-date is becoming increasingly important. This is a challenge for all state websites, and it’s clear that we’ve got work to do in making sure our digital presence stays relevant and reliable.
The keynote address by Dries Buytaert, the founder of Drupal, was a real highlight. He offered an inspiring look at the future of the platform and how it can shape the future of government websites. A couple of new features he discussed are especially exciting for our state agencies.
First up, site templates. These templates have the potential to streamline the process of launching new agency websites. They ensure that new sites align with state standards, reducing development time and ensuring a more consistent experience across the board. This is a big win for agencies that need to quickly roll out digital services without sacrificing quality.
The second feature that stood out was the Experience Builder. This tool makes it easier for content creators – even those without a technical background – to build and manage web pages. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies the process of designing user-friendly, accessible content. This could be a game-changer for agencies, allowing them to maintain modern, high-quality websites with fewer technical resources.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that the future of state websites is closely tied to the ongoing evolution of digital tools and technologies. With the right solutions, we can create websites that are not only easier to manage but also more effective in delivering essential services to the public. By embracing new tools like Looker Studio and Drupal’s latest features, North Carolina can continue to lead the way in innovative government digital services.