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Pennsylvania Ranks Among Top States for AI Adoption in Government

Employees collaborating with AI technology in Pennsylvania's government.

News Summary

Pennsylvania has been recognized as one of the top three states in the U.S. for AI adoption in government, alongside New Jersey and Utah. This recognition stems from criteria such as AI capacity building and ethical frameworks. Governor Josh Shapiro has initiated programs to enhance AI governance, including the establishment of the Generative AI Governing Board and pilot programs for state employees. These efforts aim to improve efficiency and based on positive pilot outcomes, the state plans to further enhance AI training and integration.

Pennsylvania has achieved a remarkable milestone by ranking among the top three states in the U.S. for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption within state government, according to a recent assessment by the civic tech nonprofit Code for America. This recognition is based on various criteria including Leadership and Governance, AI Capacity Building, and Technical Infrastructure & Capabilities.

In this assessment, Pennsylvania, alongside New Jersey and Utah, received an advanced rating for its AI readiness. The evaluation pointed out the state’s comprehensive policies, ethical frameworks, capacity building initiatives, and effective pilot programs as pivotal factors that contributed to its top-tier status in AI implementation.

In 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro took significant steps to enhance this framework by signing an executive order that established the Generative AI Governing Board. This board is tasked with overseeing AI policies within the administration. A strategic partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and InnovateUS has been instrumental in training state employees in the utilization of AI tools, further boosting Pennsylvania’s AI readiness.

The existing IT infrastructure within the state has also played a crucial role in supporting the effective deployment of AI technologies. The Shapiro administration recently initiated a pilot program with just under 200 employees deployed to utilize ChatGPT Enterprise, a leading AI tool. Exit surveys conducted after the pilot revealed that employees saved approximately 95 minutes each day on average, which has significantly enhanced their productivity.

Governor Shapiro has underscored the perspective that AI serves as a job enhancer rather than a replacer, emphasizing its importance in modern governance. The pilot program is expected to expand after May 31, 2025, thereby increasing the number of employees who will benefit from generative AI tools and applications.

During the pilot, participating employees found various uses for ChatGPT, including writing assistance, text generation, and research tasks. An impressive 85% of participants reported a positive experience with the AI technology, with many indicating that they had never used ChatGPT prior to the pilot program. Feedback from these employees will be vital for shaping the future AI initiatives in the Shapiro administration.

Despite these advancements, concerns have been raised regarding worker privacy and job security, particularly from union representatives. In response to these concerns, the administration has committed to involving union-covered employees in future AI projects, thus ensuring a collaborative approach as AI technologies continue to evolve within government operations.

This pilot program is part of Governor Shapiro’s broader vision to leverage AI technologies to improve government efficiency and service delivery. By prioritizing employee training and addressing ethical considerations in AI deployment, Pennsylvania is positioning itself as a leader in state-level technology adoption, ultimately aiming to set a benchmark for AI integration within public service.

The successful implementation of AI technologies in Pennsylvania illustrates a significant shift toward innovation in government practices, making the state a noteworthy example for others to follow as they consider the potential benefits that AI can bring to public administration.