A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine offers states guidance on adopting artificial intelligence. Strategies for Integrating AI into State and Local Government Decision Making: Rapid Expert Consultation offers insights to state governments on how to integrate AI technologies into public services and governance processes. According to the authors, the available options for AI technology “pose different levels of risk and require balancing the potential of AI technologies to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness with potential challenges, such as public trust considerations and long-term sustainability. The strategies range from foundations and governance (Why use AI and how to ensure its responsible use?) to ongoing accountability and engagement (How to manage implementation and maintain trust?).
Code for America offers advice for state governments when designing and using chatbots, including how to improve the experience of accessing benefits. “To build trust with clients, chatbots must be tailored to the right use cases, designed with accessible and human-centered flows, and actively account for points where people often get stuck,” the nonprofit advises. In working with the State of Maryland, Code for America developed a user-focused checklist for chatbot development. The four items on the July 31 chatbot list include starting small with chatbots, such as using templates. Another item includes using clear communication for better comprehension, focusing on the terminology clients use versus internal terms used by state government staff.
A new resource from the federal government guides states on how to use federal funding to support AI literacy in the workforce. The August 26 guidance letter from the U.S. Department of Labor encourages states to use funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help develop AI skills in youth and adults. The Employment and Training Administration advises states to offer AI education that covers essential AI literacy topics, such as how AI operates, effective prompting, evaluating outputs and using AI securely. The letter follows the April 23 Executive Order 14277—Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.
