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State IT officials contemplate advanced AI applications beyond day-to-day uses

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By Noah Newsroom

Wednesday, 2 October 2024 9:15AM UTC

At the NASCIO 2024 conference, state information technology officials explored the broader implications of artificial intelligence, focusing on enhanced utilisation, data governance, and the need for updated contract frameworks.

State IT Officials Contemplate Advanced AI Applications Beyond Day-to-Day Uses

During the recent NASCIO 2024 conference, state information technology officials delved into the broader applications and implications of artificial intelligence (AI) beyond its conventional usage. The discussion was guided by key industry leaders, including Paula Peters, Missouri’s deputy CIO for digital transformation, and Jim Weaver, North Carolina’s Chief Information Officer.

Paula Peters emphasised the necessity for states to enhance their AI utilisation, particularly in the domain of contracting. Highlighting a significant gap, Peters noted, “One of the things that we need help with is disclosures from our vendors. AI wasn’t a thing when we produced a lot of our contracts.” This statement underscores the evolving nature of AI and the requirement for updated contract frameworks that accommodate these advancements. Peters wants to ensure that states have a clear understanding of how vendors employ AI, focusing on aspects such as data collection methods and the final destination of the data.

Jim Weaver addressed the critical issue of data governance, stressing the need for improved data readiness and classification. He pointed out a common oversight within many agencies regarding the specifics of their data. “Many agencies don’t truly know what data they have and where that data is sitting. We must leverage data for the right purposes,” Weaver stated. His remarks underscore the potential risks associated with combining different data sets, which individually may have a low classification status, but together could inadvertently create personally identifiable information, breaching privacy guidelines.

The dialogue illuminated the necessity for governments to keep pace with technological advancements and to re-evaluate their existing systems and protocols to incorporate new ethical and practical standards for AI usage. This includes comprehensive data governance strategies and transparent vendor contracts to safeguard privacy and ensure responsible data use. By addressing these areas, state IT officials aim to fully harness AI's capabilities while adhering to ethical and regulatory standards.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2024/10/nascio-2024-surveys-identify-common-state-ai-use-cases-and-barriers - This article supports Paula Peters' emphasis on the need for disclosures from vendors regarding AI use, particularly in contracting, and highlights the gap in current contracts.
https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2024/10/nascio-2024-surveys-identify-common-state-ai-use-cases-and-barriers - This source corroborates Jim Weaver's comments on the importance of data governance, data readiness, and data classification to avoid privacy breaches.
https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/generative-artificial-intelligence-and-its-impact-on-state-government-it-workforces/ - This publication supports the discussion on the broader applications and implications of AI in state governments, including the need for policy guardrails and data management.
https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2024/01/nascio-releases-ai-blueprint-state-agencies - This article details NASCIO's AI Blueprint, which includes considerations for AI governance, data quality, and responsible AI use, aligning with the need for updated protocols and ethical standards.
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/public-sector/2024-deloitte-nascio-cybersecurity-study.html - This study highlights the expanding attack surface and the critical need for data security and governance in the context of AI adoption in state governments.
https://www.nascio.org/resource-center/resources/generative-artificial-intelligence-and-its-impact-on-state-government-it-workforces/ - This resource supports the idea that states are in various stages of implementing AI policies and guidelines, including the scaling phase to realize AI benefits.
https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2024/01/nascio-releases-ai-blueprint-state-agencies - This article mentions the importance of assessing privacy and cybersecurity risks of AI adoption, which aligns with Weaver's concerns about data governance and privacy.
https://www.govtech.com/artificial-intelligence/nascio-president-tackling-generative-ai-takes-a-team-not - This article discusses the creative uses of generative AI, such as legislative code analysis, and the challenges in implementing AI solutions, as highlighted by Jim Weaver and Paula Peters.
https://www.govtech.com/artificial-intelligence/nascio-president-tackling-generative-ai-takes-a-team-not - This source supports the need for transparency in vendor contracts and understanding how AI algorithms work to ensure responsible data handling.
https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2024/01/nascio-releases-ai-blueprint-state-agencies - This article outlines the 12 considerations for state governments in developing AI roadmaps, including aligning AI initiatives with strategic goals and creating guidelines for responsible AI use.
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/public-sector/2024-deloitte-nascio-cybersecurity-study.html - This study emphasizes the importance of establishing governance and security controls for AI, which is a key aspect of the discussions on ethical and practical standards for AI usage.
https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2024/10/nascio-2024-surveys-identify-common-state-ai-use-cases-and-barriers - Please view link - unable to able to access data