Last week, Government Technology’s Center for Public Sector AI released its inaugural “AI 50,” a list of individuals and organizations who are enabling innovative uses of AI in the public sector. The list highlights work done by The GovLab, its Director Beth Simone Noveck, Senior Fellow Santiago Garces, and many of our collaborators in state and local government.
The GovLab is recognized in the AI 50 for its contributions as a "research center that has supported ways public agencies can incorporate AI into their practices through projects like its AI ethics course." Together with its partner project the Burnes Center for Social Change, The GovLab, is home to InnovateUS, which provides public servants free training in AI, digital, and innovation skills and the AI for Impact coop program, where students build AI tools in partnership with public agencies. In addition, the GovLab is currently working with families in California and Massachusetts to use AI to enhance educational outcomes for learners with disabilities through its AIEP project. Last year, the GovLab supported New Jersey’s State AI Task Force in using Policy Synth, an AI-powered research toolkit designed for policymakers, to develop AI policy recommendations informed by research evidence and community input.
Beth Simone Noveck is highlighted for her work as Director of The GovLab and as the State of New Jersey’s Chief AI Strategist.
Beth Simone Noveck is a professor at Northeastern University, where she directs the Burnes Center for Social Change and its partner project, The Governance Lab (The GovLab). Her newest book Democracy Rebooted: How AI Can Save Democracy will appear with Yale University Press. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy appointed her as the state’s first Chief AI Strategist in 2024, and she served as Co-Chair of the state’s AI Task Force
Santiago “Santi” Garces is a Senior Fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change, Lecturer at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, and Technical Lead for AI for Impact. He currently serves as Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston. Through AI for Impact, he guides students using artificial intelligence and human-centered design to deliver cutting-edge projects that solve public sector problems and improve lives.
Santi is highlighted for his efforts: "With Garces at the helm, Boston quickly issued interim guidance for generative AI use when the tech first went mainstream three years ago. Since then, Garces has tapped into the tech to better serve citizens, using it to digitize legislative archives and street signs."
Working with government partners across the country, InnovateUS enables public service professionals to deliver more effective and equitable policies and services. Congratulations to the following InnovateUS partners featured in the AI 50: Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer from the State of Georgia, Christian Napier, AI Director, Utah Division of Technology Services, Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Minnesota IT Services.
Read the full list: https://www.govtech.com/cpsai/ai50