Delaware Launches AI Training for State Employees
Delaware is offering its state employees a training program on responsible and ethical AI use in government work, becoming the latest state to adopt a curriculum designed specifically for public sector professionals.
The state rolled out "Responsible AI for Public Professionals" through its online learning platform on Thursday. The Delaware Department of Human Resources assigned the training to executive branch employees on Friday.
The curriculum comes from InnovateUS, a nonprofit initiative run by the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University and The Governance Lab. New Jersey began offering the same course to state employees in July 2024, and it has since spread to Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., where it is mandatory.
Who's Behind the Program
Delaware's Department of Human Resources developed the training with support from the departments of Technology and Information, and Education, along with the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review Board.
Jordan Schulties, the state's acting chief information officer, said in a statement: "Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress as we embrace the possibilities of artificial intelligence."
Part of a Broader Push
The training aligns with the work of Delaware's AI Commission, created in July 2024 to guide how state agencies adopt AI technology. The commission makes recommendations for executive and legislative action, develops agency guidelines, and promotes responsible AI use.
AI literacy is increasingly seen as a core digital skill for government workforces. The federal government has issued guidance to support state and local training efforts.
California, Georgia, Maryland, and New York are among other states partnering with InnovateUS to build AI skills across their employees. Cities like San Francisco and San Jose are launching similar programs.
HR leaders overseeing training initiatives may find value in exploring AI learning paths for training and development managers, which cover workforce development and training automation relevant to implementing such programs.
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