Thank you to Kristin White, Transportation Industry Executive and Head of Transportation Strategy & Partnerships at Google, who presented All Hype or All In? The Future of Transportation with Artificial Intelligence at the Institute of Transportation Studies Transportation Seminar on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Abstract: Artificial intelligence is widely hyped as the solution to our most complex transportation challenges. But how do we move beyond the buzzwords and get to meaningful, real-world change? In this talk, Kristin White, Google’s Transportation Industry Executive and an expert in government and mobility tech, will unpack the hype from the reality of AI’s impact on public transportation. Drawing from her experience in public agencies and with private sector partners, she will discuss how we can empower public agencies to navigate their digital transformation. We’ll explore why human-centered design and plain language are non-negotiable tools for building trust and closing the gap between the public and private sectors. Finally, Kristin will challenge the tech industry and venture capitalists to better understand how government works, outlining what it takes to build a durable, impactful govtechpartnership. Join us for a grounded, practical look at how we can leverage technology to build safer, more equitable, and more resilient communities.
Bio: Kristin White is a dynamic change-agent and executive with 20 years’ experience transforming transportation. Her philosophy is using tech for good, making government more innovative, elevating women, and leading with heart and authenticity. She oversees strategy and partnerships as Google’s Transportation Industry Executive.The world’s 4th largest company launched Google Public Sector to use tech to achieve public sector goals including safety, resiliency, connecting communities, and economic growth.
The youngest Federal Highway Administrator ever appointed by the White House, she ran the country’s largest transportation agency with over $300B and 3,000 employees. Previously she was COO of the transportation tech nonpro t ITS America. She’s a lawyer by trade, having worked in fed, state and local government, and started her career as a Fulbright Fellow in Japan. She’s won awards for women in innovation and government transformation.
She has a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, a Certicate in Global Arbitration from Queen Mary University of Law, and a B.A. from St. Olaf College.
Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, she’s a relay runner, yogi, hiker and dog mom and spends time on her nonprofit to elevate women in transportation innovation.