Overview
Thanks to ITS, the future is now!
As technology evolves, government must stay at the forefront of developments that can make life better services easier to access for the people it serves. To that end, New York State is dedicated to the safe and responsible use of AI to make government work better for all New Yorkers.
In 2024, Governor Hochul included AI in her State of the State address, announcing the Empire AI initiative and a new policy, authored by ITS, to govern the safe and responsible use of AI to benefit all New Yorkers.
Chief AI Office
New York State has appointed a Chief AI Officer to oversee the application of AI where it makes sense to streamline processes, make tasks easier for the talented New York State workforce and make government services more accessible for the people who need them.
Listen to the “IT’S a Tech Podcast” to learn more about Dr. Eleonore Fournier-Tombs and the future for AI in New York.
AI and Related Policies
ITS is dedicated to guiding New York State’s responsible use of AI to help deliver services to New Yorkers in a timely manner. To that end, in 2024 ITS released the first-ever statewide policy governing the acceptable use of AI for State government to serve as a roadmap to help agencies meet critical business needs and further their missions.
Before implementing new tools and technology, including those that use generative artificial intelligence, NYS employees must consult this and other applicable policies, including but not limited to:
AI Education
In 2025, ITS organized and launched an AI training pilot program specifically designed for the New York State workforce, taking a step towards fulfilling Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State pledge to equip tens of thousands of hardworking state employees with the knowledge and training to use AI responsibly.