Budgets inhibit US state CIOs from embracing emerging tech

Budget constraints are the top barrier impeding US state government CIOs from further embracing emerging technologies, new research suggests.

A report prepared by Ernst & Young for the US National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO) found that budgets are the top challenge or barrier to adoption of emerging technologies.

Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of states do not have policies or procedures in place regarding the use of emerging technology within their organisations, threatening to further impede adoption.

On the other hand, state CIOs overall ranked citizen-facing digital services as the area where emerging technology will make the most measurable impact in states, and CIOs ranked themselves as somewhat confident in engaging emerging technology projects and managing risk.

The survey also found that half of states have an effective governance model in place or are in the process of developing one. But the other half do not have a mechanism for monitoring the review, adoption and deployment of emerging technologies.

“This publication clearly demonstrates that there is a desire and sound business cases for the use of emerging technology,” said Denis Goulet, NASCIO President and Commissioner and CIO for the State of New Hampshire.

“As COVID-19 has demonstrated, states are using these technologies to aid in delivering services to citizens during the pandemic and beyond.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/sabthai