Georgia's 2023 IT Success Stories

Summit mobilizes Georgia government for AI usage

The power of artificial intelligence (AI), both constructive and potentially risky, was center stage at a conference hosted by GTA. The event, the Georgia Emerging Technology Summit: AI, brought together state agency leaders and technology vendors to map an informed approach to AI usage across Georgia state government.

Broadband requires more than just infrastructure

Through the Let's Connect Georgia initiative, GTA and partner organizations work to ensure all Georgians have the tools and skills to capitalize on broadband access. That readiness was the theme of a GTA-hosted Statewide Digital Connectivity Symposium.

Cyber Dawg has real teeth

Staged in partnership with the Georgia Cyber Center and Army National Guard, the Cyber Dawg event brought together cybersecurity professionals from state and local government and education entities to hone their skills in a live fire exercise, and yes, it involved a mock attack, but the tension and the sweat, well, those couldn't be faked.

GOVTalks examines AI's impact

This year's GOVTalks conference, presented by GTA's Digital Services Georgia (DSGa) team and sponsored by Ivy.ai, untangled some of the tangle created by the transformative AI technology GPT, and while AI earned top billing at the virtual event, it was hardly the only thing on the menu. Topics for the 2023 edition of GOVTalks included the AI technology GPT; the role of digital content managers in shaping the fate of ChatGPT, a generative language AI; transforming content strategy to serve varied user demands, device types, contexts, and more; a case study in creating user-centric, friendly digital experience from the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR); and the continuing evolution of GovHub to enable digital services.

Georgia Broadband Program wins TAG award

Georgia's broadband service expansion efforts recently earned recognition from the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). The state's ongoing work to bring high-speed internet access to Georgia's unserved communities won the 2023 TAG Tech for Good award. The category honors projects that capitalize on technology to promote inclusiveness and equity of opportunity in Georgia.

Digital connectivity and equity planning in Georgia

GTA and community leaders conducted listening sessions statewide to gather input from community members and other stakeholders on their internet-connectivity experience. From Calhoun to Clarkston, Valdosta to Vidalia, and just off the coast at Jekyll Island, the in-person sessions allowed a broad assessment of needs and identification of resources. GTA then worked, helped by new public grant funds, to create the best match between needs and resources

Georgia places finalists in TAG awards

Georgia placed three contenders among the finalists for the 2023 TAG Technology Awards given by the Technology Association of Georgia. State CIO and GTA Executive Director Shawnzia Thomas (Tech Leader of the Year category), Broadband Initiatives Director Josh Hildebrandt (Emerging Leader of the Year), and the Georgia Broadband Program (Tech for Good) are finalists. The list also includes entries from the Georgia Department of Revenue, Technical College System of Georgia, and several Georgia universities. TAG names winners in late March.