State of Arizona Implements Employee Gen AI Training
The State of Arizona is partnering with InnovateUS to provide its workforce with no-cost, at-your-own-pace training on responsible artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative aims to equip state employees with the knowledge they need to use Generative AI tools in their day-to-day work.
This training will supplement the GenAI initiatives the state has already implemented, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s partnership with TRULEO and Arizona State University to use AI to review body camera footage, and the utilization of GenAI by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to make health care simpler for patients and providers. In support of AI adoption, Arizona has also committed to documenting best practices for the safe, effective and responsible use of Generative AI across state agencies.
Governor Hobbs recently announced the formation of an AI Steering Committee to shape future AI policies and ensure transparency, ethical considerations, and public benefits. Since March 2024, the Arizona Department of Administration has updated the state’s Generative AI Policy (P2000) and Use of Generative AI Procedure (2000PR) to reflect rapid technological advancements.
Training to Support a Skilled and Responsible AI-Enabled Workforce
As part of this partnership, the state is offering two courses on responsible AI use: Using Generative AI at Work and Scaling AI in Your Organization. This effort directly aligns with recent state initiatives to improve public safety and government efficiency through the use of AI.
“As AI rapidly develops, it is essential we prepare our workforce with the skills they need to use this technology both safely and effectively,” said State of Arizona Chief Information Officer J.R. Sloan. “The State of Arizona prioritizes privacy, security, and responsible experimentation with AI technology in its government operations. This training aligns with these values, providing proper guidance and guardrails that enable the responsible use of AI. Thank you to InnovateUS for this opportunity.”
InnovateUS provides no-cost, at-your-own pace, and live learning on data, digital, innovation, and AI skills for public service professionals. Supported by philanthropy, this partnership will bear no cost to Arizona.
"At InnovateUS we believe that in order to tackle today's most challenging public problems and build a more responsive, efficient, and transparent government, we must train our workforce on how to responsibly use AI," said Beth Simone Noveck, Founder of InnovateUS and Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change and the GovLab. "We are thrilled to further expand our work to Arizona, and are grateful for their leadership in empowering their workforce with the skills and tools to improve people's lives.”
More than 100 public professionals have begun the training across the state.
“I took this training in early January and I was very impressed with it. It shows you how to effectively and securely use these tools to improve your efficiency,” said Trent Kendall, chief information officer for the Arizona State Retirement System. “I also like that all of the use cases are from the public sector. I have worked with my agency to make this training mandatory for all supervisors and above. It is also mandatory for everyone in IT. We want our staff to use these tools in their daily lives and this training is an important step for making that happen.”
“The Scaling AI for Government course at InnovateUS was really well done,” said Wendy L. Jameson, deputy director for Arizona’s Digital Solutions Office. “The bite-sized lessons made even complex topics easy to grasp, and I loved how they showed us practical ways to apply AI in the public sector. If you're looking to boost your AI skills specifically for use in government applications, this course is a must!”
The use of Generative AI technology in government can have several benefits, including streamlining service delivery for Arizona residents. A state four-week pilot program on Gemini for Google Workspace concluded that state employees could potentially increase their productivity by 2.5 hours per week, as the technology helped employees summarize information, automate charts and graphics, take notes, format, write code, and much more.
In addition to no-cost GenAI training, the State of Arizona and InnovateUS have launched a webpage to host InnovateUS’s non-AI training for state employees. These courses focus on foundational digital innovation concepts such as human-centered design and equitable engagement.
To learn more about InnovateUS, visit their website here.