Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it is an opportunity for public sector organizations to employ talent in new ways. Government spending on AI has surged worldwide, including in the United States. The US federal government invested over $3 billion in the 2023 fiscal year. An influential taskforce called the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource, also known as NAIRR, recommended channeling at least an additional $2.6 billion to public-funded research throughout an initial 6-year period.

Conducting research is important because state and local governments have limited resources. However, many are betting AI can transform their local economies and jobs, including generating job growth.

In what areas can AI transform local and state governments? If you are currently looking for a role, it is beneficial to understand the potential areas of growth.

Enhancing Service Delivery

AI has the potential to transform the way public services are delivered, making them more efficient and accessible. Chatbots and virtual assistants may become increasingly commonplace on government websites, providing citizens with instant responses to queries, reducing wait times, and freeing up staff for more complex tasks.

Most jurisdictions that use bots have a specific list of questions they can answer. The IT department might spend time configuring the chatbot before it goes live to work on how the bot recognizes and responds to questions. They are oftentimes structured to triage and weed out people whose questions can be easily answered. This frees up staff to focus on more complex calls, questions, and tasks. Chatbots can have many purposes, from answering mundane questions like office hours to helping citizens solve problems like how to find a tax bill. For example, the state of Connecticut had a COVID chatbot that was built using technology from IBM Watson- and it logged approximately 40,000 interactions in 4 months at one point. That type of chatbot keeps citizens from waiting on hold to speak with a staff member to get the same answers.

The need for this kind of technology requires a well-trained and skilled workforce to build chatbots and other types of technology that governments can utilize to enhance their service delivery. As a result, there is a growing demand for roles such as AI specialists, data scientists, and IT professionals within government agencies.

Data-Driven Decision Making

AI can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, which can transform decision-making processes in the public sector. Predictive analytics, a subset of AI, can help governments anticipate future trends and make informed policy decisions. For example, AI can analyze data on traffic patterns to optimize urban planning or predict disease outbreaks to improve public health responses.

This will require a public sector workforce to become proficient in data literacy, statistics, and understanding how to interpret and leverage data insights into their work. Policymakers will also learn how to utilize this data in their policies for effective outcomes and efficient solutions. This change should foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, as professionals must stay well-informed of the latest AI developments and their applications.

Improving Public Safety and Security

AI can also play a crucial role in enhancing public safety and security. Law enforcement agencies can use AI for crime prediction and prevention, facial recognition, and analyzing patterns of criminal behavior. AI-driven surveillance systems can detect unusual activities and alert authorities in real-time, leading to faster and more effective responses. While some of this may be controversial to spend public funds, it can make some communities safer.

As a result, we can see careers in law enforcement and public safety evolve. Professionals would need to be trained in the ethical use of AI technologies, ensuring that these tools are used responsibly to infringe on citizens’ rights. A potential area of growth would be roles focused on AI ethics and regulatory compliance to address these concerns in state and local governments.