AI helps Connecticut earns A- in digital survey

Connecticut was one of five New England states awarded a grade of A- in the Center for Digital Government’s Digital States Survey. Connecticut also earned first-place recognition in the area of transportation and motor vehicles.

The state’s A- grade is unchanged from 2022 and improved from a B+ in 2020. Of New England states, only Rhode Island had a lower grade of a B+ in the 2024 survey.

The report on Connecticut cited the state’s first artificial intelligence (AI) policy, released in February 2024.

The Responsible AI Framework, established a number of guiding principles state agencies are meant to follow when using AI, including that it produces accurate and verifiable information, that it does not discriminate based on factors such as race or gender, and that documentation of AI use is understandable. The framework fulfilled a requirement in a 2023 law directing the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to create policies for the “development, procurement, implementation, utilization, and ongoing assessment of systems that employ AI and are in use by state agencies.”

Created by multiple state agencies, the policy outlines specific ethical guardrails for agencies, offers guidance on the use of Large Language Models and establishes an AI advisory board.” the report’s section on Connecticut reads.

Other AI initiatives cited include the DAS’ AI Engagement and Enablement Lab, the Connecticut State Police’s (CSP) DroneShield detection system and a defense and response platform over 50 state agencies are using to improve digital safety.

The AI Engagement and Enablement Lab was also established as part of the AI framework and to “provide a platform for workforce enablement and education.”

“The system identifies drones used in illegal activities and helps enforce safety regulations.” the report says of the CSP drone program.

The study further cites anti-discrimination legislation.

According to the report, “digital equity and inclusion were two of the main operating principles for top states” in the 2024 survey. The survey mentions Connecticut’s use of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds towards the ConneCTed Communities and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment programs as a use of digital equity that is “upholding its commitment to ensuring residents can access high-speed Internet.”

“The approach has made it possible for the state to connect around 1 million under-connected residents.” the study notes.

Gov. Ned Lamont touted the state’s grade in a press release, stating he had “made it a priority during his administration to build an all-digital state government that provides Connecticut’s residents and businesses with the tools necessary to digitally connect with services administered by the state.” Digital advancements in access to business, jobs, and health services were also mentioned in the study.

Connecticut also earned first-place recognition in the survey area of transportation and motor vehicles which, according to Lamont, is due to the state’s wrong-way driver system.

“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to the cross-agency work across state government to make our digital government services more accessible, easier to navigate, and more user friendly. The first-in-the-nation ranking for the use of technology in transportation and motor vehicles is thanks in large part to innovative programs – the wrong-way driver system on the state’s highways and the online appointment system that has dramatically reshaped the public’s ability to interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles.” Lamont stated.

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