In the plan, TxDOT details the steps it has taken in preparation for widespread AI adoption, including implementing an enterprise data platform, developing an acceptable-use policy, establishing a risk management work group and framework, implementing an automation community of practice and running various pilot projects.
Additionally, the agency plans to invest in AI training and upskilling for its workforce that promotes experimentation and innovation.
The agency has pointed to AI integration as a priority extensively throughout 2024. In its strategic plan for fiscal years 2025-29, TxDOT listed task automation as one of its top priorities.
In October, TxDOT Chief Information Officer Anh Selissen testified recently before the state's House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies regarding her agency’s AI implementation journey. Selissen has been one of the more vocal state agency CIOs about her optimism toward AI implementation in the public sector, particularly for streamlining manual processes.
The agency is currently using AI solutions for contract comparison, bid item price estimation, roadway incident detection and onboarding/offboarding automation.
The plan also includes an implementation road map with 30 areas for AI implementation, each with multiple supporting use cases. Topics on the road map include:
- Infrastructure analysis and investments
- Project prioritization
- Traffic management
- Emergency mitigation and decision-making
- Process automation
- Contract management
- Talent management
- Risk identification
- Vehicle management
- Utility usage
