Embracing the Future: AI's Transformative Role in Florida's Government

 

Erin Rock, Government Consultant - The Southern Group

 

Florida government sits poised amidst an era of technological leaps and digital transformations. For years, state agencies and local governments have been embracing the promise of technology to simplify their processes and innovate services. Some of those innovations were wins.  Others… well, not so much. But, regardless of the intended outcome, every project has represented a deepening acceptance of what technology can and will do to improve the lives of Floridians. 

 

With that brief history in mind, I found myself wondering whether and when the Sunshine State might turn its gaze toward the promising horizon of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In an exclusive interview with Florida Representative Fiona McFarland, a distinguished member of the Florida House of Representatives, we gained insights into the nuanced perspectives surrounding the adoption of AI in government. As the state grapples with complex challenges ranging from healthcare to transportation, McFarland sheds light on how harnessing the capabilities of AI may pave the way for innovative solutions and redefine the relationship between citizens and their government. Join as we delve into the conversation about the potential benefits, ethical considerations, and the legislative roadmap for embracing the future of AI in Florida’s public sector. 

 

So first and foremost, have you tested any of the latest AI offerings?  What did you think? 

 

“I've used Chat GPT and loved it (in a scary way). From the silly to the serious, it's disconcerting to be confronted by an app that does your work better, or at least significantly more efficiently, than you can. I'd describe my reaction as a mix of…being impressed at how good the responses were, then a terrified feeling of losing control, and then wonderment at imagining what I could do with the extra time I might gain in my workday if I fully embraced ChatGPT into my operating practices.”

 

You’re not alone. It seems the question, “how do you feel about AI?” is quickly evolving into a modern-day Rorschach test with varied and fascinating results. How do you see AI changing the face of private sector business? 

 

“When I worked as a consultant for McKinsey and Company, we did a lot of research around the "future of work" and the impact that AI and computer automation would have on the workforce. At the time, we forecasted the most disruption to blue collar-type jobs with visions of robots, and disruption to entry level data management or secretarial-type jobs. What we've seen in the growth of large language models (LLM) is quite different-- the disruption to more of the white collar, higher-level thinking jobs. While before we were talking about reskilling our technical workforce, I think now, while that is still important, I have much more concern for what our college, graduate, and doctoral students are spending their time and treasure on.”

 

In a similar vein, how do you see AI potentially changing the face of government? 

 

“Like everything else-- it will be game changing. We already have some compelling deployments across various agencies today (think image recognition for traffic uses or data verification and cleaning in benefits applications), but as technology offerings mature and grow we will see more and more traditional government services performed by AIs, and state jobs shifted from data entry to case management (or AI oversight).” 

 

“Some folks five years ago were very bullish on blockchain's ability to transform government services, particularly in identify management or a distributed ledger to store public records. I personally still believe in the blockchain, but it will require such a tremendous departure from how government operates today that I remain skeptical we'll see that any time soon. However, what AI services offer is a way to keep a lot of the way we do business and what the general public is accustomed to, but with hyper-speed in the review and transaction time. If an LLM ingests a slew of existing public records and then compares that against a benefit application, home deed, LLC articles of incorporation, whatever…we start to see the siloed, disjointed paperwork, morass of government services break down while still having things looks and feel largely the same to the user.”

 

It's an incredibly promising prospect! Where does it make the most sense for AI to start to be integrated into government’s processes and systems?

 

“Get me an AI chat bot for every single customer-facing government service!”

 

If there was one thing you wish technologists understood about the potential or the power of AI, what would that be? 

 

“I'd tell any technologist-- or early adopter of AI offerings today-- that when it comes to government, particularly state government… please slow down your expectations! As we've seen in any form of tech, the federal government tends to lag the private sector by 2-5 years, and state government is typically another 2-5 years behind that. If you walk into any government meeting or any conversation with a luddite and start talking about the end of 1800 customer service lines, you're going to see people clam up and call for the end of days. Focus on low hanging fruit-- offer an agency's social media team an AI that automates all their posts, pictures, and videos. THEN talk to the agency about what else they could augment or automate.”

 

The Federal government released a massive amount of information on how they are hoping to direct AI study, innovation and regulation last fall.  What were your impressions of their Executive Order?

 

“I like it actually. I think everyone would appreciate it if US Congress could get something done…but executive agencies being told to get to work on standards while encouraging "good" deployments is a productive step, and I like that this is coming early in the technology's life.”

 

What should Floridians understand about Artificial Intelligence?

 

“Don't be scared! Artificial Intelligence is still primarily a really fast and complex algorithm, although one that learns and iterates quickly. For example, photoshop has been around for a long time to alter images, and advances in graphic design are on full display in any videogame or even "cartoon" out there. AI image generation is still essentially that…just on ridiculously high-speed setting and ridiculously high quality setting.”

 

How do you think the Florida Legislature will try to direct AI regulation and innovation in the 2024 Legislative Session?

 

Standby for a bill coming to a legislature near you soon! 

 

Are there things you wish technologists better understood about Florida’s unique challenges and opportunities? How can companies seeking to help Florida prosper do better?

 

“For any nascent companies out there with a potential AI offering that the government might benefit from, my advice is this-- don't be afraid of the long sales-cycle. And get out there and build relationships with local decision makers. And don't fear the unsolicited bid process!”