Unlocking AI Starts With Strong Data Governance
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This post is sponsored by our partners at Tyler Technologies.
Government agencies continue to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can help them better serve their communities. Many have formed committees to assess uses and define policy. Others have pilot projects underway. Some are already using AI today to drive efficiency, reduce costs, improve decision-making, and deliver increased value to residents.
While there is consensus about the potential of AI, analysts report that adoption varies by jurisdiction level and that local governments, in particular, are taking a cautious approach.
No matter where an agency is on their journey with AI, data governance best practices are key. I’d like to share some perspective on how to overcome obstacles and take steps that lay the groundwork for trustworthy AI initiatives.
How Data Governance Impacts AI
The importance of data governance isn’t new. And it turns out that what’s good for humans is also good for AI. Too often, public sector data is siloed in different systems. If agency staff and leadership have difficulty accessing and using data, so will AI — and neither will be able to make effective decisions that rely on analyzing information across those systems.
Humans gain the most from information systems when there’s a comprehensive data inventory, and the data itself is clean, up to date, authoritative, discoverable, protected, and secured. Those factors are equally important to AI advancements like agentic frameworks that reason over the data. AI agents need the right context and the right information to provide the right answer — just like humans.
Steps for Effective Data Governance
People often think they need to do something brand new in data governance to get ready for AI. The good news is that a lot of the best practices are well defined and may already be in use at many agencies. Here’s an overview:
- Start With the Why - Define the outcomes that a well-governed data program should deliver. They will likely address goals like easier access to information, lower risks of data disclosure, and better decision-making.
- Inventory Your Data - There are tools on the market to help capture this information, but it can be done with something as simple as a spreadsheet. Develop holistic insight into what data your organization has and then build a catalog.
- Provide Unified Access - Determine how to consolidate the data and give users a single, simple way to access it. Make the data easier to discover and use by tagging it with metadata.
- Clean the Data - Comb through all of the data and ensure it is current and reliable. Eliminate duplicates and errors that would produce incorrect answers and lead to bad decisions.
- Assign Clear Ownership - Designate someone who will be accountable for making sure the data remains correct and serve as the go-to resource when there are questions. Establishing good data stewardship practices increases trust in the data and supports organizational change.
What Data Governance Unlocks
When they take those steps, agencies often report powerful results. For some, it’s the first time they have a 360-degree view of their jurisdiction’s data. Decision-makers gain in-depth operational insights that were impossible when their data was siloed. They make better, data-driven decisions. Workforce enthusiasm grows because they can achieve more and deliver improved service to residents.
There are additional benefits for communities as well. When residents have increased access to government information and see that the data is consistently up to date and authoritative, it builds their trust. They can see and understand how the agency is better serving the public. Making reliable data available also empowers residents to find information on their own, improving the overall digital government experience.
The Path to Trustworthy AI in Government
Proper data governance is an important strategic goal that delivers impact for agencies and their communities while positioning them to fully benefit from the current and future capabilities of AI in government. By focusing on governance now, agencies ensure their AI initiatives are not only innovative but also accountable, transparent, and trustworthy — exactly what residents expect from public institutions.
About the Author:
Frank Williams is the president of the Data & Insights Division and deputy chief technology officer at Tyler Technologies. His work helps public sector agencies develop data strategy and deploy solutions that drive organizational efficiency and improve service to residents.
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