GOVERNMENT | BETTER TECH

August 7, 2026

Better Tech: Smart Technology for Government

Government technology is moving into a new phase. Federal agencies are increasing their use of AI, while new hardware is making it possible to bring digital capabilities into the environments where government work happens. Better Tech evaluates, integrates, and delivers best-in-class AI hardware and software, connecting organizations with proven technologies that solve modern operational challenges. Our focus is smart technology, including AI-enabled smart glasses and other intelligent devices that combine hardware, software, real-time transcription, translation, accessibility support, and heads-up information.

From AI Adoption to AI in the Field

The federal government is already investing in AI for operational use. A 2026 U.S. Government Accountability Office review found that federal agencies more than doubled their use of AI from 2023 to 2024, covering AI acquisitions across agencies including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, General Services Administration, and Department of Veterans Affairs. Better Tech focuses on the next step: connecting proven technologies with real operating environments where they can support defined government needs.

A Current Government Use Case

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a direct example. In 2026, the Atlanta VA Health Care System documented the use of live-captioning smart glasses with a Veteran with severe to profound hearing loss. The glasses provided real-time speech-to-text captions within the user's field of view, showing how smart-glass technology can become part of an actual government service environment. The same technology category can support translation and other accessibility needs, depending on the selected device and software.

Why the Hardware Matters

AI is often delivered through a computer or phone. Smart technology creates another delivery point by combining hardware, software, AI services, and connectivity in a device designed for a specific use case. Smart glasses can provide capabilities such as transcription, translation, accessibility support, and heads-up information without requiring the user to rely on a separate screen for every interaction.

Measurable Government Value

Government technology should be connected to a measurable objective. In 2026, VA reported that an AI system used to process community-care documents reduced average handling time from 4.5 minutes to 3.1 minutes, a 31% reduction, with approximately 4,000 minutes saved each week at the reported facility volume. For smart technology, the appropriate KPI will depend on the mission and may include communication access, task time, information access, service delivery, or another defined operational measure. Better Tech does not assign a savings figure before the use case is tested.

Designed for the Government Environment

Government technology must be evaluated beyond product features. Security and privacy, accessibility, data handling, identity and access, device management, enterprise integration, procurement requirements, and the deployment environment can all affect whether a technology is appropriate for a government use case. Better Tech evaluates these factors alongside the technology itself. Camera-free smart glasses, for example, may be appropriate where visual recording is not part of the intended use, while the complete solution still requires assessment against the agency's requirements.

Better Tech's Role

Better Tech evaluates, integrates, and delivers best-in-class AI hardware and software, connecting organizations with proven technologies that solve modern operational challenges. We identify technologies that fit a defined use case, assess the hardware and software together, and connect the selected solution to the organization and environment where it can be used. The objective is simple: the right technology, for the right environment, with a measurable outcome.

The Opportunity

AI software and intelligent hardware are creating new ways for government employees and the public to access information, communicate, and use digital services. Better Tech operates at the point where emerging technology meets practical government use, with a focus on smart glasses, intelligent wearables, heads-up displays, accessibility technology, translation, and AI software.

Verified References

U.S. Government Accountability Office — Artificial Intelligence Acquisitions, 2026

GAO reviewed 13 federal AI acquisitions and reported that federal agencies more than doubled their use of AI from 2023 to 2024.

GAO — Artificial Intelligence Acquisitions

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Artificial Intelligence

VA's current AI program, including its AI inventory, governance, and applications.

VA Artificial Intelligence

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — AI-Driven eFax Fix, 2026

VA reported a reduction in average document handling time from 4.5 minutes to 3.1 minutes, a 31% reduction, with approximately 4,000 minutes saved weekly at the reported facility volume.

VA — AI Tool Helps Process Community Care Documentation Faster

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Atlanta VA, 2026

VA documented the use of live-captioning smart glasses with a Veteran with severe to profound hearing loss.

Atlanta VA — Live-Captioning Glasses

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — AI Strategy, 2026

VA's strategy for high-impact AI includes measurable improvements in speed, quality, efficiency, and accuracy.

VA — Building the Future: VA's Strategy for Adopting High-Impact AI

Legal & Use Notice

This publication is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, procurement, cybersecurity, accessibility, or other professional advice. Government statistics, agency results, and referenced information are attributed to their respective sources and are not claims. Actual results depend on the specific technology, configuration, use case, operating environment, integration, deployment, and user adoption. Product capabilities may vary by model, software version, configuration, and technology partner. A camera-free design does not, by itself, establish security, privacy, accessibility compliance, or regulatory compliance. Government organizations should conduct appropriate technical, security, privacy, legal, accessibility, procurement, and operational assessments before deployment. References to potential applications or benefits do not guarantee performance, savings, compliance, or other outcomes.