New awards program honors top individuals and organizations transforming public services with artificial intelligence

The Center for Public Sector AI (CPSAI), a division of e.Republic, today announced the 2025 AI 50, a national awards program spotlighting individuals and organizations leading the way in applied AI for government. The honorees represent the public servants, technologists, researchers, and civic leaders using artificial intelligence to modernize operations, drive efficiency, and improve service delivery across the public sector.

This first-of-its-kind recognition program celebrates leaders from state and local government, education, nonprofits, and the private sector who are not only exploring the possibilities of AI—but putting it to work in ways that deliver measurable public value. Selections were made based on nominations received from across the country and evaluated for impact, innovation, and live use cases already making a difference on the ground.

“As we talk with public agencies across the country, we’re continually impressed by the creativity and impact AI leaders are delivering,” said Teri Takai, Chief Programs Officer at the Center for Digital Government. “The AI 50 winners reflect the progress we’re seeing at the ground level—and a path forward for others to follow.”

The AI 50 winners are featured in a special editorial section on GovTech launching today, with brief descriptions of each honoree and an overview of emerging trends in public sector AI. 

“AI has the potential to positively redefine effective and efficient government,” said Dustin Haisler, President of e.Republic and Co-Lead of CPSAI. “This program recognizes those in the trenches shaping the market—and most importantly, the use cases and insights others can learn from.”

The AI 50 joins a family of trusted public-sector recognitions hosted by e.Republic, including the GovTech 100, Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers, Digital States Survey, and SLEDIE Awards—each spotlighting leadership, innovation, and impact in the evolving landscape of government technology and public service.

The full list of AI 50 winners can be found at: https://www.govtech.com/cpsai/ai50

2025 AI 50 Winners (Alphabetical)

Individual Honorees: 

  1. Amina Al Sherif, Generative AI Lead, Google Public Sector
  2. Brendan Babb, Chief Innovation Officer, Anchorage, Alaska
  3. Mike Brooks, Senior Systems Administrator, Acworth, Ga.
  4. Rebecca Cai, Chief Data Officer, Hawaii
  5. Giovanni Capriglione, State Representative, Texas
  6. Eyal Darmon, Americas Public Service Data & AI Lead, Accenture
  7. Nikhil Deshpande, Chief Digital & AI Officer, Georgia
  8. Leila Doty, Privacy & AI Analyst, San Jose, Calif.
  9. Timothy Galluzi, Chief Information Officer, Nevada
  10. Santiago Garces, Chief Information Officer, Boston
  11. Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager, Maricopa, Ariz.
  12. Sarah Gregosky, Chief Operating Officer, North Carolina Medicaid, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
  13. Nadia Hansen, Global AI Go-to-Market Leader and Industry Advisor for Public Sector, Salesforce
  14. Troy Horton, Health & Human Services Group CIO, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology
  15. Rob Lloyd, Chief Technology Officer & IT Director, Seattle
  16. Melanie McDonough, Chief Innovation & AI Officer, Lebanon, N.H.
  17. Razwan Mirza, Chief Information Officer, New York City Department of Probation
  18. Christian Napier, AI Director, Utah Division of Technology Services
  19. Beth Simone Noveck, Chief AI Strategist, New Jersey
  20. Ben Palacio, Senior AI Analyst, Placer County, Calif.
  21. Josiah Raiche, Chief Data & AI Officer, Vermont
  22. Katy Ruckle, Chief Privacy Officer, Washington
  23. Anh Selissen, Chief Information Officer, Texas Department of Transportation
  24. Vidhu Shekhar, Director of Public Sector Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft
  25. Nichole Sterling, Mayor Pro Tem, Nederland, Colo.

Organizational Honorees:

  1. Automotus
  2. California Department of Technology
  3. California Department of Transportation
  4. Cisco
  5. CivCheck
  6. Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Palm Beach County, Fla.
  7. Darwin AI
  8. City & County of Denver
  9. Dataminr
  10. GovAI Coalition
  11. GovLab
  12. Laserfiche
  13. Long Beach, Calif.
  14. Miami-Dade County, Fla.
  15. Minnesota IT Services
  16. Monmouth County, N.J., Surrogate Court
  17. Polimorphic
  18. San Mateo County, Calif.
  19. Seguin, Texas
  20. South Dakota Bureau of Information and Technology
  21. Syncurrent
  22. Texas Department of Public Safety
  23. Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
  24. Voyatek
  25. Washington, D.C.

 

About the Center for Public Sector AI

The Center for Public Sector AI (CPSAI) is a nonpartisan research and advisory initiative from e.Republic focused on advancing the safe, effective, and ethical use of artificial intelligence in state and local government. Through programs like AI 50, CPSAI helps accelerate learning and collaboration across the public sector.