The strategy, which is rooted in the principles of Protect, Promote, and Pursue, aims to guide state agencies in the productive and responsible use of AI technologies. This initiative began with the establishment of an AI Workgroup, comprising representatives from various state agencies diverse in size and scope. The workgroup conducted a thorough survey of state agencies and numerous information-gathering sessions to inform the development of the strategy. This collaborative effort resulted in a detailed plan designed to support the adoption and governance of AI technologies across state agencies.
The South Carolina AI Strategy outlines the state’s vision for AI, emphasizing the importance of protecting citizens’ rights and privacy, promoting the adoption of AI technologies, and pursuing opportunities for AI training and education. These principles are aimed at ensuring that AI is used ethically and effectively to benefit South Carolina’s citizens and businesses. The strategy’s long-term goals and near-term focus areas set the direction for developing foundational AI capabilities that will drive innovation and efficiency in state government operations.
One of the critical initial steps outlined in the strategy is the establishment of an agency-staffed Center of Excellence (COE) and an AI Advisory Group. These entities will assist state agencies in evaluating and implementing AI technologies, ensuring that AI initiatives align with the state’s strategic vision and guiding principles. The COE will play a pivotal role in providing leadership, best practices, and ongoing collaboration related to AI projects.
The strategy also emphasizes the importance of AI governance. It includes the development of policies and guidelines to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI. This governance framework will define roles and responsibilities for overseeing AI implementation, ensuring alignment with organizational values, ethics, and legal requirements.
The strategy highlights the potential of AI to enhance government services in areas such as responsiveness, accessibility, and efficiency. By actively seeking innovative AI solutions and promoting their adoption across state agencies, South Carolina aims to improve the delivery of services to its citizens. This includes identifying business scenarios where AI can have the highest impact and allocating resources effectively to these areas.
To support these efforts, the strategy calls for the initiation and refinement of pilot projects. These small-scale projects will test the feasibility and effectiveness of AI technologies before scaling them up across state government. Additionally, the strategy encourages collaboration with academic institutions, industry experts, and other stakeholders to share knowledge and foster innovation.
A key aspect of the strategy is to drive AI excellence by building foundational AI knowledge among state agencies. This involves strategic communications to build awareness and gain buy-in, as well as efforts to improve AI literacy. Understanding the implications, risks, and business value of AI technologies is crucial for their responsible use. The strategy sets clear goals for communicating AI initiatives, defining stakeholder groups, and delivering tailored messaging. It also emphasizes the need for ongoing training and education opportunities to empower state agencies to effectively use AI technologies.
As the state embarks on its AI journey, the South Carolina Department of Administration will develop a detailed roadmap to execute the statewide strategy. This roadmap will be executed by the Office of Technology and Information Services (OTIS) and the Division of Information Security (DIS), which will be responsible for building the foundational capabilities needed to achieve the strategy’s goals.
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