This Week in Government Technology – October 27th– November 3rd, 2024

While government AI initiatives continue to unfold, we see clear priorities emerge: transparency, accountability, and responsible use. Across the country, cities and federal agencies are taking concrete steps to harness AI’s potential in ways that benefit their employees, residents, and partners.

A Look Back at 2023: AI in Review

Government Technology released a “Year in Review” series on AI in government, covering six major areas where AI has been making waves in the public sector. The stories recap the growth in AI use, from local tech pilots to federal policies. If you’ve been following the field, there may not be much new here, but it’s a solid overview of the year’s big AI moves across the government landscape.

NYC’s AI Action Plan: One Year Later

One year ago, New York City set an ambitious agenda for AI integration with its “AI Action Plan.” Fast forward to today, and the city has fulfilled or initiated 30 of the 37 action items it set out to achieve. The plan is expansive and includes critical steps such as setting up governance frameworks, creating a directory of AI applications in use, and establishing protocols for safely deploying new AI technologies.

In a recent StateTech podcast, Alex Foard, the Executive Director of Research and Collaboration at NYC’s Office of Technology and Innovation, shared insights into the city’s progress. As New York moves into the second year of its AI journey, its next big focus will be on partnerships—with public, private, and academic institutions—to help the city harness AI responsibly and effectively. NYC’s example highlights how a clear vision and accountability can drive meaningful progress in government technology.

Miami’s Bold New AI Agenda

This week, Miami turned heads with the announcement of an ambitious AI plan at the Southern Florida Digital Government Summit. The city is gearing up to make AI tools available to every city employee, beginning with Microsoft Copilot by the end of the year. Miami isn’t stopping there; the city also plans to launch a scholarship for local university students interested in AI, create an AI training course for small businesses, and lay out a full framework for AI acquisition, implementation, and governance.

Miami’s vision for AI includes integrating it into apps that make city services more accessible to residents. It’s exciting to see a city government prioritize AI in ways that directly benefit not only employees but also citizens and local businesses. This aggressive, multifaceted approach makes Miami a city to watch in the AI space.

Washington, D.C., Forms AI Advisory Group

In the nation’s capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser recently announced the formation of a districtwide AI Advisory Group. This task force is set to guide policy around AI and data usage within district government, helping create responsible practices for the entire city. The group is also developing workforce education tools and supporting district programs with the software development they need to make use of new technologies.

Washington, D.C., joins other cities in setting up dedicated teams to navigate the complexities of AI governance. With experts advising on everything from policy to practical application, D.C. aims to integrate AI responsibly, creating lasting benefits for its agencies and residents.

Georgia’s “Reverse Shark Tank” for AI Innovation

Georgia’s AI journey took a unique turn this week with updates on the state’s new “innovation lab.” Established in May, the lab will pre-qualify tech vendors for state agencies in a setup resembling a “reverse Shark Tank.” Agencies from Georgia—and eventually from other states—will be able to visit the lab, explore emerging technology, and connect with vendors that meet their needs.

This inventive model reflects a growing trend: states creating spaces for hands-on exploration of AI and tech solutions. It’s a way to demystify new technologies, bringing stakeholders closer to the innovations shaping their work. By facilitating direct connections between agencies and vendors, Georgia’s lab might become a model for collaborative tech exploration nationwide.

Federal Moves Toward Responsible AI

The federal government’s recent AI updates are brief but substantial. Here are the highlights:

  • White House Executive Order: A new executive order on AI, expected soon, will set standards for transparency, deployment, and data security in federal agencies—a big step for responsible AI use at the national level.
  • AI-Ready Data Systems: The Department of Commerce aims to release guidelines by the end of the year, providing federal agencies with a roadmap for developing data systems ready to support AI.
  • AI Credentialing by GSA: The General Services Administration has rolled out a credentialing program in “AI Prompt Engineering” to help acquisition staff evaluate large language models.
  • Expansion of DOD’s Responsible AI Strategy: The Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and AI Officers will soon be steering AI policy across multiple federal agencies, building on the Department’s Responsible AI framework.
  • FTC’s Transparency Efforts: By the end of the year, the FTC plans to publish an inventory of its deployed AI use cases, aligning with broader calls for transparency in AI use.
  • AI in Healthcare: CMS’s Chief Digital Services Officer discussed plans to establish an open-source program office focusing on AI applications that improve healthcare accessibility and fraud detection.