AI in State and Local Government

AI in state and local government has surged in recent years. Gallup data show 43% of public-sector workers used AI at least occasionally in late 2025 (up from 17% in 2023 and 28% in 2024).

AI in Government Recruiting and Hiring Platforms

Government is also experimenting with AI in hiring. Several states have launched AI-powered career portals to connect job seekers with public-sector vacancies. For example, Michigan’s “Career Portal” (launched 2023) uses AI to personalize job recommendations. As of early 2025, it had attracted over 33,500 users (100+ per day).

At the local level, some cities are piloting AI tools to streamline recruitment. Long Beach, California – facing a 20%+ vacancy rate (up to 35% in some departments) – launched a pilot in late 2024 using “Holly,” an AI platform that drafts job descriptions and analyzes pay benchmarks

This addresses one major bottleneck: filling a public job can take 7–9 months, which risks losing candidates to the private sector. While results are pending, officials hope AI guidance will speed up hiring, promote equitable practices (like skills-based job posts), and reduce costly delays.

Government Recruitment Efficiency

The need is urgent: studies show the average public-sector vacancy can remain open 100+ days. AI tools can help craft clearer, standardized postings and suggest salary alignments using regional data. For example, AI-generated job descriptions ensure consistent tone and highlight required skills without unnecessary barriers (e.g. unwarranted degree requirements). Early adopters argue these innovations can save staff time and make government careers more attractive.

Government Leadership, Strategy and AI Adoption

Data consistently show that managerial support and clear strategy are key to AI uptake. In Gallup’s Q4 2025 survey, employees in “high-support” public organizations (where leaders encourage AI use) were far more likely to use AI frequently (65%) than those in low-support settings (37%). Similarly, total AI use was higher (88% vs. 78%). This 28-point gap in frequent use mirrors an even larger effect in the private sector (80% vs. 44%). The implication is that simply giving workers AI tools isn’t enough: managers must actively endorse and integrate AI into workflows to make adoption stick.

At present, only about 37% of public-sector employees say their organization has a clear AI strategy
(versus 53% in private firms). Many local agencies report little formal training or guidance: roughly 60% of surveyed local government staff said they had received no AI training from their employer. Even basic awareness is lacking – about 15–20% of state/local workers didn’t know whether their agency had any AI policy at all. These gaps help explain why many employees who could use AI don’t: they simply “don’t see how the tools apply to their work” without direction.

Experts stress that when managers demonstrate AI in routine tasks (e.g. drafting emails, summarizing reports, automating admin work), employees learn its value. Lack of oversight is a concern: one survey found 28% of AI outputs in local gov’t were “rarely or never reviewed” by leaders., which can undermine trust in the technology. Conversely, when leaders set priorities (like emphasizing data security and equity) and allocate time for experimentation, usage climbs. Gallup argues that culture – including trust in leadership and clear “guardrails” influences not just whether AI is used, but how it’s used.

Trends and Outlook of AI Use In Government

Even with these challenges, the trend is clear: state and local governments are rapidly incorporating AI. During 2024–25 federal and state workers more than doubled their usage rates. Data suggest smany public employees are “AI-curious” and feel ready to learn, even if formal programs lag. The combination of low-cost generative tools and remote work culture has made experimentation easy, accelerating informal adoption.

On balance, government agencies now report AI adoption levels closer to the private sector than before. Public-sector employees’ usage (43%) is nearly identical to that in private firms, and state/local surveys show similar mid-40% penetration. This places governments midway on the AI adoption curve: well behind tech and finance, but above sectors like retail. With continued investment in digital talent and smarter leadership, experts expect the gap to narrow further.