2026 AI in Action Awards
Celebrating the everyday ways government is shaping what’s next
Submissions are due May 1, 2026
Across the country, state governments are running AI pilots and use cases that are improving how public services work. But too often, that work stays invisible and unacknowledged. AI in Action Awards exists to change that. We surface the full picture of what AI adoption looks like across state, territory and tribal government. This means not just the polished wins, but also the early bets, the back office fixes, and the lessons that only come from trying something hard.
Every submission helps build a shared understanding of where government AI actually stands — what's working, what's not, and what the rest of the field can learn from. With your permission, we publish as many submissions as possible so the broader civic tech community can learn from what states, territories and tribes are doing.
Submission Details
Who can submit?
Submissions are open to the following groups:
Government staff:
AI officers, technology leaders, program managers, or other staff involved in the project
Vendors, nonprofits and academic institutions
can co-submit with their government partner
How many awards can a submission be nominated for?
A single submission can only be nominated for one category. One person can submit multiple use cases or pilots.
What are we looking for?
We will be evaluating projects based on impact/insights and their potential to provide value to other states.
How long does it take to apply?
We estimate applications will take 15 minutes to complete.
What do awardees receive?
Awardees receive public recognition for their contributions, a social media spotlight shared across our channels, and an invitation to attend our 2026 State AI Officers Summit in June.
Six AI in Action Award Categories
Real work. Real Risk. Real Recognition.
We want to hear from teams at every stage, with every kind of story.
1. AI for the Government Workforce
Recognizing AI that reduces administrative burden for government employees.
For AI tools and pilots that helped government employees cut through the tedious stuff — and freed up time for the work that actually matters. We want the story of where AI made the day-to-day experience of government work meaningfully better for the people doing it.
Tell us about: the problem your staff faced, what you built or deployed, and how it changed their workflow and morale.
2. Boldest AI Bet (Celebrating Failing Fast)
Recognizing the courage to try something ambitious — and the wisdom to learn from it.
Not every pilot goes according to plan. That’s exactly the point. For teams that took a real swing — a novel approach, a high-stakes deployment, an unconventional use case — and came away with something worth sharing, regardless of outcome. We want to know what you tried, what happened, and what you’d tell another agency considering the same move.
Tell us about: what made the bet bold, what you expected vs. what happened, and the biggest lesson you took away.
3. AI for the Public
Recognizing AI that delivered real value to the people government serves.
For AI pilots with a direct, measurable impact on public-facing services — faster response times, more accessible information, better case management, shorter wait times. The public was the primary beneficiary, and the results speak for themselves.
Tell us about: the public need you addressed, how AI changed the service experience, and any outcome data you can share.
4. Most Creative AI Use Case
Recognizing AI applications that expand what’s possible in government.
The most interesting AI work in government isn’t always happening in the obvious places. For pilots that applied AI to unexpected domains, used it in novel ways, or tackled problems most people wouldn’t frame as “AI problems.” If your project makes people say “I didn’t know you could do that,”this is your category.
Tell us about: why this use case was unusual, how you arrived at it, and what it revealed about where AI can go in government.
5. Smartest AI Buy
Recognizing excellence in AI procurement, vendor selection, and partnership management.
Buying AI well is one of the hardest challenges in government right now. This award is for teams that got it right — whether that means an especially effective procurement process, or product purchase that delivered a next-level ROI. We want to recognize not just what you bought, but the sharp judgment behind the buy.
Tell us about: the purchase, including any details like key contract terms or safeguards, the decision-making behind it, the value you got out of it, and the lesson you’d pass on.
6. Rising AI Pilot
Recognizing early-stage AI work with strong potential.
Not every great initiative has results yet — and that’s fine. This category is for pilots with strong design, thoughtful planning, and real promise. Some of the most important work in government right now is still unfolding. It deserves recognition anyway.
Tell us about: what problem you’re trying to solve, who it serves, and where you are in the process. What does success look like, and how will you know when you've reached it?
Key Dates
Nominations Open:
Now
Submissions Due:
May 1, 2026 by 8:59 pm PST
Winners Announced:
Mid-Late June
