August 19, 2025
CDT Recognized for Innovation in Government AI
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –
Why it Matters: Generative AI could reshape how government serves the public by making service delivery faster, and more accessible. But realizing that potential depends on the creation of strong guardrails. Secure testing environments and well-defined policies are essential to ensuring AI is used responsibly, transparently, and in ways that will earn the public’s trust.
The California Department of Technology (CDT) has been named one of the “inaugural AI 50 winners” by the Center for Public Sector AI, a new national awards program recognizing government leaders and organizations advancing the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
CDT was recognized for launching a Generative AI (GenAI) sandbox initiative to safely integrate AI solutions into state operations. The sandboxes are designed for publicly available, non-sensitive data to protect privacy while allowing for a realistic testing environment to explore new AI tools without putting sensitive information at risk. These cloud-based environments are separate from actual state systems and allow teams to experiment freely while protecting privacy and keeping costs down. Through this responsible approach, California is leading the way in how government can adopt AI securely.
The sandboxes are unique because they were built by and specifically for the California’s state government testing environment, with security, governance, and transparency. They are designed to meet state compliance requirements to test multiple AI models and vendor solutions. Some of those projects tested included Caltrans’ Traffic Management Insights and its Vulnerable Roadway User Safety, Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s Call Center Productivity, California Health and Human Services Agency’s Language Access and Health Care Facility Inspections.
The AI 50 program, hosted by e.Republic’s Center for Public Sector AI, honors agencies and individuals leading the way in applied AI for government. Honorees were selected from nominations nationwide and evaluated for their impact, innovation, and live AI use cases that are already improving public services.
The honorees represent public servants, technologists, researchers, and civic leaders who are modernizing operations, improving efficiency, and enhancing service delivery through AI.
“Thank you to the Center for Public Sector AI for this recognition. We are thrilled to be in the inaugural cohort of AI 50 honorees and committed to leveraging all technology with a people first, security always, and purposeful leadership mindset.”
Liana Baley-Crimmins, State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director
This program highlights leaders across public and private sectors who are turning AI potential into measurable public value.
See the full list of 2025 AI 50 honorees: https://www.govtech.com/cpsai/ai50