Nearly All States Have Piloted AI, but Few Measure Results
Almost every state has launched an artificial intelligence pilot program, according to Code for America's 2026 Government AI Landscape Assessment released Friday. Yet only seven states have established systems to evaluate whether those deployments actually deliver public value.
The assessment tracks state progress across four stages: readiness, piloting, implementation, and impact. Most states remain early in this progression, building capabilities needed to scale AI across government operations.
Where States Stand
States have advanced through executive orders, legislation, task forces, and partnerships over the past year. Many recognize AI as a strategic tool for public-sector work, particularly generative AI applications.
The gap widens at scale. While nearly every state has experimented with AI pilots, only a small number have integrated AI into enterprise-wide workflows across multiple agencies. The real constraint emerges at the measurement stage: most states lack the evaluation frameworks needed to track outcomes.
Adoption barriers persist. Quality data remains scarce in many government systems, and security concerns deter some agencies from moving forward.
What Leading States Do Differently
Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Vermont lead in government AI adoption. These states share common characteristics:
- Strong executive leadership committed to AI strategy
- Cross-agency governance structures
- Sandbox environments for controlled testing
- Structured pilot programs with clear parameters
- Enterprise data infrastructure
- Systems to measure outcomes
For government professionals implementing AI strategy, understanding these elements matters. The difference between a successful deployment and a stalled pilot often comes down to governance and measurement capacity.
Learn more about AI for Government or explore the AI Learning Path for Policy Makers to understand how to build evaluation systems and governance frameworks.
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