The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) conducted a survey with EY exploring how forward-thinking states view emerging technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA). Survey data shows how these states are (or are not) governing their use of emerging technology, the challenges they face, and what technologies will be most likely used.

Full summary:

“We should not be innovating just for the sake of innovating ... We should make sure we can align an agency’s need to a technology—add value, solve a problem, make things easier.” – Stephanie Dedmon, CIO, State of Tennessee

NASCIO, along with EY, conducted its first survey on how states use and govern emerging technologies this year. Some notable results:

• Nearly half of states (48%) have no mechanism in place to monitor the review, adoption, or utilization of emerging technology.
• States are most likely to use AI (specifically chatbots/virtual assistants) and RPA over the next two years.
• Budgets and aligning use cases to technology are the most significant barriers to adoption.

Essentially, the survey makes the case that emerging technology has huge potential to improve citizen engagement as long as guard rails are in place to ensure it’s used responsibly and provides value.

It also states that disruption can be viewed as a time of opportunity when considering how to leverage emerging technology to make an impact. “State governments that build more resilient enterprises—and successfully optimize emerging technology—will be poised to move forward in the post-COVID-19 environment and reimagine their future and deliver higher levels of service to all citizens.”

Download the survey | Read highlights from Governing.com