As governments face massive challenges in the 21st century, partnerships with private sector technology companies promise potential benefits and risks. This article explores examples of smart cities and pandemic response tech to analyze how private-sector innovation could help overhaul outdated public systems and services. However, concerns around equitable access, transparency, privacy, and vendor lock-in must also be addressed through regulatory frameworks. Key takeaways provide policy recommendations on fostering ethical collaboration that enables cutting-edge solutions while upholding accountability.