This Week in Government Technology – June 16th-23rd, 2024

This week’s highlights include key advancements in AI deployment, state-led modernization efforts, and significant funding initiatives driving innovation. From the General Services Administration’s launch of its first AI-focused Presidential Innovation Fellows cohort, Ohio, Texas, and Washington, D.C.’s application modernization to enhance citizen services, and Zencity’s $40 million funding to develop an AI assistant for local governments, these updates showcase the multifaceted impact of AI across different domains.

GSA Launches First AI-Dedicated Presidential Innovation Fellows Program

The General Services Administration (GSA) has launched its first AI-focused cohort for the Presidential Innovation Fellows (PIF) program, aligning with a federal executive order to advance AI talent within the government. This cohort, consisting of 11 experts from top tech organizations, will work with various federal agencies to develop tech-based solutions for civic challenges, such as improving justice access and enhancing electric grid infrastructure. The program aims to harness AI benefits while mitigating risks and improving government service delivery. Since its inception, the PIF program has recruited over 260 fellows to work across more than 50 agencies, significantly impacting federal technology initiatives.

Transforming Citizen Services Through Government Application Modernization

Governments like Ohio, Texas, and Washington, D.C., are modernizing outdated applications to enhance performance and citizen services. Ohio is updating legacy systems to improve scalability and reduce security risks, while Texas leverages cloud solutions and a unified portal for services such as driver’s license renewals. Washington, D.C., is focusing on creating a streamlined business portal, integrating modern and legacy applications to simplify processes for residents and businesses. These modernization efforts improve operational efficiency and aim to provide more responsive and user-friendly government services.

Zencity Secures $40M for AI Assistant to Boost Government Efficiency 

Zencity has secured $40 million in funding to develop an AI assistant tailored for state and local governments. This new tool aims to streamline community engagement by automating tasks such as creating surveys, generating engagement projects, and translating content into multiple languages, thus enhancing accessibility. The AI assistant will also assist government leaders by generating charts and reports, providing plain-language answers to data queries, and using information from surveys and social media. This investment, led by StepStone Group, brings Zencity’s total funding to $91 million and will also support the expansion of their engineering and customer service teams.