Executive Summary
Arizona state government recognizes that testing Generative AI to enhance public safety, government efficiency, and services to constituents will lay the foundation for further use in the public sector.
Situation
The State of Arizona adopts innovative technologies and solutions to enhance the delivery of public services. In recent years, Generative AI has been a major topic in the public and private sectors of enterprise IT. As with any new technology, the state has recognized the importance of testing Generative AI for safe, effective, and responsible use.
Problems
As Generative AI rapidly evolves, the State of Arizona must address this in collaboration with leadership and applicable statewide policies, standards, and procedures.
Solution
In support of testing and adoption, the State of Arizona researches and documents best practices for the safe, effective, and responsible use of Generative AI throughout state government.
Arizona’s Artificial Intelligence Steering Committee was established by Governor Hobbs in May 2025, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to ensure the ethical, transparent, and effective use of AI in government and beyond. Appointed by Governor Hobbs, the committee members include workforce and education leaders, representatives from state and local government, public interest technologists and civil rights advocates, and private sector AI and data ethics experts.
The committee is responsible for maintaining a statewide policy framework and governance strategy for the use of AI in Arizona, guiding the state’s efforts to harness AI for public good while ensuring responsible innovation and data privacy, with access and fairness at the forefront.
The responsibilities of the committee include: 1) Developing a statewide AI policy framework grounded in transparency, fairness, and accountability; 2) Recommending governance models and procurement guidelines for AI adoption across agencies; 3) Engaging with communities and stakeholders to ensure inclusive and just AI implementation; 4) Identifying opportunities to strengthen AI literacy, workforce preparedness, and innovation.
In addition, researching and piloting Generative AI tools in controlled environments will ensure that the state takes proactive measures to responsibly leverage this emerging technology.
