Sanders Receives AI Center of Excellence Effectiveness and Safety Report

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders received a comprehensive report from the AI and Analytics Center of Excellence outlining recommended policies to support the efficient, secure, and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across Arkansas state government.

"AI is changing how we work, interact, and find information - and Arkansas can't afford to be left behind," said Governor Sanders. "I tasked our AI Center of Excellence with two goals: improving government services through AI while also strengthening protections for our citizens. As the AI landscape changes every single day, this report gives us a priority list to utilize the technology in positive ways and protect our citizens from its misuse."

The first portion of the report, focused on Government Effectiveness, outlines how artificial intelligence can strengthen Arkansas' core government functions and improve the day-to-day experience of citizens. The report identifies strategies to deliver a government that is faster, leaner, and more citizen-focused by enhancing employee productivity through AI-enabled tools, modernizing and streamlining agency operations, improving program integrity in areas such as Medicaid and SNAP, and expanding digital services through an AI-enabled Government Services Portal that would make state resources easier for Arkansans to access.

The second portion of the report, focused on Safety, Security, & Trust, provides a framework to ensure Arkansas implements artificial intelligence safely, ethically, and transparently. In addition to Governance & Stewardship recommendations - including creating a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards to evaluate AI systems - the report outlines measures to strengthen the state's data and infrastructure foundation; reinforce cybersecurity protections; implement transparency standards to maintain public trust; and improve statewide AI literacy so employees understand the capabilities and limitations of AI tools. These safeguards are designed to reduce risks such as data exposure, algorithmic bias, and misuse of technology.

The AI and Analytics Center of Excellence has gathered best practices, reviewed state practices, reviewed state systems, and assessed where artificial intelligence can be deployed effectively and safely across Arkansas government. The reports produced reflects that work and provides practical, innovative recommendations to improve operations, enhance public-facing services, and protect Arkansans as new technologies evolve.

Governor Sanders launched the working group in June of 2024 to study and offer recommendations for the safe use of artificial intelligence within Arkansas state government. The AI and Analytics Center of Excellence focuses on protecting data, improving government services, and preparing Arkansas for the future of artificial intelligence in government and the workforce.

"Under Governor Sanders' leadership, the AI CoE brought forward strong, practical recommendations. I appreciate the depth of work involved in this process. We are now prepared to carry this framework forward, strengthen our workforce, and put these ideas into practice to improve services for Arkansans," said Shared Administrative Services Secretary Leslie Fisken.

"These reports lay out how Arkansas can adopt AI responsibly, modernize core government services, and reduce administrative burden while protecting residents' privacy and security. The AI CoE has done outstanding work translating complex issues into clear, actionable recommendations that will help us serve Arkansans better, and I deeply appreciate their service and commitment to the people of Arkansas," said Chief Data Officer & Senior Policy Advisor Robert McGough.

The Government Effectiveness portion of the report is linked here.
The Safety, Security, & Trust portion of the report is linked here.

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