Readiness is cornerstone

of successful AI usage

Integrating AI into how we serve Georgians will test our mettle. It'll be disruptive, in IT shops and across the full range of public-sector operations. But if we meet the challenge, Georgia can use artificial intelligence to reshape the landscape in the most positive ways.

An event coming up December 6 will be pivotal to laying needed foundations, and I encourage you to participate. It’s our second annual Emerging Technology Summit, focused this year on widely agreed prerequisites for effective AI implementations. Critical considerations like security, data management, ethical guidelines and AI literacy across our workforce. If our AI usage is to be both innovative and secure, we’ll need to collaborate to master these fundamentals.

At this summit co-sponsored by GTA and Government Technology media, you can build your AI readiness. There’s no charge to attend for public-sector professionals. See event details in an article below, get registered and get ready to engage.

Georgia government has reason to be confident we can make the most of AI. We’ve built a solid track record. Just last month, our state earned another A grade (the highest possible) in the 2024 Digital States Survey conducted by the Center for Digital Government. That’s national recognition of our government IT achievement. We’re one of just nine states awarded an A this year.

Leading states share a profile.

• They understand citizens’ needs and innovate with technology to meet those needs.
• They provide service options that suit citizen preferences today.
• They maintain a modern, reliable and resilient IT backbone.
• They’re unwavering in their commitment to safeguarding state data and systems.
• And they’ve established the IT maturity that permits embracing emerging technologies that can be transformative.

An A grade in the Digital States Survey isn’t achieved overnight. And it isn’t awarded on the strength of only a few players harnessing technology. An A for Georgia is an A for all of us in state government, built on collaboration and shared commitment across agencies. More of the same, plus an added dose of innovation, is precisely what we’ll need to succeed with AI. GTA is proud to work alongside you to extend this positive momentum into even better outcomes for Georgians.

Shawnzia Thomas

State Chief Information Officer

GTA Executive Director

Data and AI summit cuts through the fog of predictions

Feeling pressed to build your understanding of what AI can mean for your agency or entity? Stretched to put in place the building blocks so essential to capitalizing on AI? You don’t have to do it alone.

GTA, in conjunction with e.Republic and Government Technology media, will present Georgia’s second annual Emerging Technology Summit on December 6 to ready government entities statewide to make the most of AI. That starts with addressing fundamental considerations including security, data management, ethical guidelines and AI literacy across the workforce.

Keynote speaker Sharon Gai will help kick-start the day with a whirlwind, globe-hopping tour of evidence of AI’s revolutionary effect on the way we’re living. Drawing on her AI and digital transformation experience, she’ll discuss AI-powered innovation in the public sector that attendees can use to model their own enhancements.

It won't stop there. You can expect technology demonstrations, as well as workshops on how to implement AI. And in breakout sessions, experts from the private sector and from government will explore additional AI dimensions such as:

• an ethical playbook for AI strategy
• responsible data stewardship
• seamless data sharing across varied systems
• data privacy vs. public safety interests
• workforce preparedness for a new era

Registration is open for this full-day data and AI session at the Westin Buckhead hotel in Atlanta. Discussion will be geared not just toward IT leaders, but to the full range of agency teams working to better serve constituents. There's no fee to attend for Georgia public-sector employees. Make your plans now to participate on December 6.

Georgia's web design system wins national IT award

The state's Orchard website design system, implemented and managed by GTA's Digital Services & Solutions team, has earned a prestigious NASCIO state IT award. Honored in the information communications technology category, it was one of this year's winners announced in October by the National Association of State CIOs.

Orchard gives a consistent look and built-in accessibility to the 80-plus state websites hosted on Georgia's official web publishing platform. That consistency promotes confidence and ease-of-use for site visitors seeking information and government services in Georgia.

NASCIO annually selects three finalists and then a winner in each of 10 project categories. This year states submitted more than 120 entries in total. Categories range from data management to digital services, IT enterprise management, and cybersecurity. The awards showcase technology-enabled projects that exhibit innovation to solve problems and produce meaningful improvement in government efficiency.

Georgia was proud to have one additional 2024 NASCIO award finalist -- the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce online dashboards initiative. Those dashboards present up-to-date numbers of healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses and dentists) operating statewide by county. The board developed these new data depictions in coordination with the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and publishes them on the Georgia Digital Analytics Center website.

• An October GOVChats webinar explored Georgia's digital inclusion planning and outreach. This essential complement to broadband service expansion aims to ensure Georgians statewide have the digital skills and tools to capitalize fully on internet access. You can review details via a recording of this discussion available on the Digital Services website events page. GTA's Digital Services & Solutions team hosts the GOVChats series, bringing together IT leaders to talk across entities and across state lines about tackling common challenges in government technology. Previous installments addressed user-centered web design, emerging AI programs in state government, ethical considerations for AI use, and website hosting.

• Through close collaboration with state agencies and IT service providers, GTA has completed a data center space optimization and upgrade project at the North Atlanta Data Center. The state’s computing space at the NADC has been trimmed significantly. This aligns with decreased on-premises computing needs, thanks to greater reliance on cloud services. An updated power supply design and other system enhancements have been made. All were carefully managed to minimize disruption of operations.

• TAG Technology Awards will be announced this month, and Georgia’s digital equity program, Let's Connect Georgia, led by GTA is a finalist for the TAG Tech for Good award. This distinction, given annually by the Technology Association of Georgia, honors projects that capitalize on technology to promote inclusiveness and equity of opportunity in Georgia. GTA is proud to contribute to the digital readiness (i.e., know-how, tools, access) of Georgia communities. GTA's Digital Connectivity Manager Oneisha Freeman Rojales is also a TAG award finalist in the Emerging Leader of the Year category. That's on the strength of her work to equip Georgians to participate fully in the digital community. Robbie Vickers and Ananias Williams, CIOs of the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Revenue respectively, are also finalists for Public Servant Tech Leader.

• State CIO and GTA Executive Director Shawnzia Thomas continues in a leadership role in the National Association of State CIOs. Her service as a director on the NASCIO Executive Committee reflects her advocacy of the organization as an invaluable resource for state government IT leaders and a marketplace of ideas about using technology to serve state needs.

• The GTA Charity Golf Tournament marked its 12th annual edition on October 14 (Columbus Day holiday) at Mystery Valley Golf Club east of Atlanta. GTA and the tournament's title sponsor NTT DATA welcomed staff from state agencies and GTA service providers for a day on the golf course. Support from golfers and from tournament sponsors once again benefited the State Charitable Contributions Program, which channels funds to hundreds of charitable organizations across Georgia. GTA extends sincere thanks to all tournament participants.