In this year's Digital Counties awards program, the Center for Digital Government* named San Diego County its third-place winner for the largest population category.
It was one of seven California counties recognized in the awards.
One of the largest counties in the nation, San Diego has more than 3.3 million residents and is using cloud and artificial intelligence, implementing niche tools, and modernizing its traditional systems to serve a diverse population in a unique landscape. County Technology Office priorities include simplified, improved public access; digital equity and inclusion; stronger engagement with residents, businesses and government; community safety and well-being; and better information access and transparency.
The county website has been undergoing accessibility testing — both manual and automated — to ensure it is up to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA. AI is helping rewrite website content, so subject matter experts can work faster, and it trains authors in a Web Content Basics class. For residents and end users, the website offers a multilingual public health system with an updated vaccination appointment option, modern child support appointment management, online child abuse reporting, and enhanced veteran housing data. There have been public safety enhancements including a new application for Sheriff’s Office hiring, real-time monitoring for juvenile detention, and electronic discovery for the public defender. And a board-level AI committee and Microsoft Copilot help staff test AI responsibly. More than 200 employees are in the Copilot pilot, and the county’s IT Academy and web content training reach hundreds more each year. These steps help equip staff and, in turn, keep residents connected.
To advance broadband and digital equity, the county is expanding Internet access to more than 1,000 remote households and replacing outdated copper lines with Starlink for remote fire stations and parks. Technology improvements for safety include AI-powered wildfire detection cameras, precise evacuation zones built on Genasys EVAC and upgraded safety notifications. These improvements tie into a need to respond across varied terrain and varied infrastructure.
*The Center for Digital Government is a sister organization to Industry Insider — California. Both are part of e.Republic.
Digital Counties 2025: San Diego County Recognized for AI, Modernization
The county was given a third-place award in this year's Digital Counties program.
