Connecticut Recognized for Digital Government Advancements

By Hugh McQuaid

November 7 @ 9:00 am

Connecticut was recently recognized as a leading state for digital government services and the top-ranking state in digital services when it comes to transportation and motor vehicles, the Center for Digital Government announced.

The center is a national institute that focuses on technology policy and best practices in government. Every two years, the group evaluates state governments on their use of technology to enhance the delivery of services, engage the public, and streamline operations.

Overall, the center awarded Connecticut an “A-,” placing it among the leading states for the second consecutive evaluation. The center cited Connecticut’s efforts to regulate Artificial Intelligence technology in government.

“Connecticut lawmakers passed legislation to address discrimination and harm caused by AI in state services,” the group’s editorial staff wrote. “The state requires systems that rely on AI technology to submit to tests in an effort to prevent discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, age and more. The legislation also intends to safeguard personal information.”

The state’s initiative to regulate Artificial Intelligence has been led by state Sen. James Maroney, a Milford Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s General Law Committee.

“It is now more important than ever for state and local leaders to embrace new technology like artificial intelligence that will enhance the workforce and the lives of so many,” Maroney said in a recent press release. “It is also imperative we protect our personal data and privacy online and address critical issues that involve our healthcare system while ensuring Connecticut is a state where every resident is treated equally.”

Meanwhile, the group recognized Connecticut as the #1 state in the nation for its use of digital government services related to transportation and motor vehicle functions.

Gov. Ned Lamont welcomed the recognition in a press release, saying that innovation was Connecticut’s “biggest asset.”

“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to the cross-agency work across state government to make our digital government services more accessible, easier to navigate, and more user friendly,” Lamont said. “The first-in-the-nation ranking for the use of technology in transportation and motor vehicles is thanks in large part to innovative programs – the wrong-way driver system on the state’s highways and the online appointment system that has dramatically reshaped the public’s ability to interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles.”