Over the past year, discussions at NASCIO conferences have increasingly focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and particularly Generative AI (GenAI), which is anticipated to fundamentally transform the delivery of constituent services, enhance employee experiences, streamline procurement processes, and assist government agencies in managing costs more effectively across various state and local jurisdictions.
As local IT leadership deliberates on the integration of AI within their operations, they are exploring innovative ways to harness its potential. Michael Pegues, Chief Information Officer of the City of Aurora, Illinois, conveyed his vision of AI deployment, stating, “GenAI helps create content based on information and data.” He envisions employing AI-powered chatbots to respond to frequently asked inquiries by residents and to facilitate efficient data gathering for official permitting processes. Pegues expressed optimism about the cost-saving possibilities presented by data-driven decisions, emphasising, “We stand to greatly benefit from data-driven cost savings, making the city smarter on how we do business, more sustainable.”
Despite the eagerness to adopt AI technologies, officials stress the importance of ensuring AI readiness. Josh Finke, Senior Vice President of Public Sector at Lumen Technologies, is collaborating with government agencies to clarify this concept. “When most organizations start thinking about AI readiness, they think about data, outcomes, ethics, and security,” Finke remarked. However, he highlighted that considerations regarding network capacity and efficiency are frequently overlooked. He emphasised that for AI to deliver tangible benefits, it must have secure access to data and fulfil bandwidth and latency needs efficiently.
Bob Leek, CIO of Clark County, Nevada, reiterated this sentiment, stating, “The pace of IT change is increasing and the base infrastructure that’s needed is connectivity, like you get with the essentially limitless bandwidth that’s available through fiber.” This indicates a foundational requirement for a robust infrastructure to support AI initiatives.
The Maryland Association of Counties has recently published a survey regarding AI readiness, revealing that while more than half of the counties are proactively developing AI use cases and governance frameworks, only about one-third of IT leaders feel prepared for the transition. The survey data showed that 53 percent of respondents are engaged in formulating governance policies, with concerns about security, privacy, and skill shortages ranking highest among workforce apprehensions. Notably, only 4 percent of local IT executives expressed high confidence regarding their teams' readiness for AI-driven changes.
Lumen Technologies has offered resources aimed at guiding government IT leaders through the complexities of preparing for AI deployment. A checklist has been developed to assist in determining where agencies currently stand in their readiness journey. This checklist addresses traditional aspects like governance and security, while placing special emphasis on the network challenges that must be overcome to ensure success in AI implementation.
In Arizona, Suzan Tasvibi-Tahna, Chief Operating Officer of the Arizona Department of Administration, has shared insights into her state’s proactive approach towards a digital future. “Today, we have the foundation for an accessible digital government,” she asserted. Tasvibi-Tahna highlighted the importance of establishing partnerships among IT leaders, end users, and vendors to effectively address the evolving expectations of citizens. As she put it, “we’ve already built a partnership...and take the time to listen to each other, understand the needs, and work constantly to be in alignment.”
The ongoing discussions and emerging trends surrounding AI and its deployment within government agencies reflect a significant shift towards embracing technological advancements. Local governments are striving to enhance operations while navigating the challenges that accompany the integration of AI into their existing frameworks.
Source: Noah Wire Services