TxDOT Transforms AI Strategy Into Agencywide Implementation

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has released an update to its Artificial Intelligence Strategic Plan, signaling a pivotal transition from piloting emerging technologies to operationalizing AI across the agency.

The updated road map outlines expanded use cases, new governance structures and early outcomes that are shaping how the agency manages infrastructure, safety and internal operations.

Originally developed as a forward-looking blueprint, the strategic plan has evolved into a practical framework for enterprise-scale adoption. With more than 200 use cases identified, TxDOT now maintains a growing portfolio of completed, active and planned AI projects, supported by a statewide data platform and structured prioritization process.

According to the update, TxDOT has completed projects in areas including invoice processing, onboarding automation and traffic incident detection. The Professional Engineering Procurement Services Division has saved an estimated 22,000 staff hours annually by automating invoice workflows, while new AI tools deployed in the Austin District have reduced roadway incident notification times and are being evaluated for expansion statewide.

Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot have been deployed to more than 940 staff members for use in administrative tasks, document generation and meeting summaries. The plan also cites successful proofs of concept in crash data analysis, fleet maintenance forecasting and pre-letting automation.

A major development in the 2026 update is alignment with the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, signed into law in mid-2025. TxDOT has adopted an agencywide “Human-Led, AI-Supported” standard, requiring human validation for all AI-assisted outputs.

TxDOT CIO Anh Selissen now serves on the state’s Public Sector AI Systems Advisory Board, and all AI projects are evaluated through a risk management framework adapted from national standards.

The update credits TxDOT’s Enterprise Data Platform with enabling AI implementation at scale. The platform integrates data from 51 sources, supports real-time processing and offers low-code tools for teams to develop localized solutions. Governance enhancements have improved data security, interoperability and compliance monitoring, while a Readiness Scorecard evaluates AI proposals based on data maturity, business sponsorship, technical feasibility and ethical considerations.

Training and upskilling remain core components of the strategy. An internal AI and Automation Community of Practice continues to grow, and project-specific training is now delivered alongside implementation. The agency plans to introduce mandatory annual AI training cycles for employees starting this year.

The plan adds several new groupings of use cases not present in the original strategy. These include AI for personal productivity, tool selection optimization, fraud and threat detection, virtual assistants and GenAI-enabled document generation. Across these domains, TxDOT is testing applications such as chatbot-based policy support, automated onboarding, expense reporting optimization and predictive analytics for construction materials and asset performance.

With more than 30 completed or active initiatives, TxDOT is emphasizing enterprise integration, data-informed decision-making and scalable automation. Planned projects include statewide rollout of incident detection tools, expansion of predictive maintenance analytics and AI-assisted permitting reviews. Future investments will focus on intelligent infrastructure delivery, real-time safety analysis and embedded analytics in core operational platforms.

The 2026 update positions artificial intelligence not as a standalone innovation but as a foundational capability to modernize transportation systems, streamline internal processes and improve service delivery across Texas.