Maryland is set to significantly enhance public services through the strategic implementation of artificial intelligence tools, bolstered by over $2.6 million in philanthropic grant funding. This initiative, spearheaded by Governor Wes Moore, aims to streamline access to vital public benefits such as food assistance, Medicaid, and unemployment services. The state has been awarded two of seven national grants from the Public Benefit Innovation Fund, a program managed by the Center for Civic Futures. This non-profit organization champions governments in their exploration of emerging technologies to refine public service delivery. The competitive grant program attracted over 400 applications from 45 states, underscoring the widespread interest in leveraging technology for public good.
The grants, which will be disbursed over a two-year period, will support ambitious projects led by the Maryland Department of Human Services and the Maryland Department of Labor. These efforts will involve close collaboration with other state agencies and leading research partners. Governor Moore emphasized that this funding is integral to a broader strategy to modernize state government operations while rigorously upholding ethical considerations and robust safeguards surrounding the use of artificial intelligence.
AI as a Catalyst for Modernizing Government
"Artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for change," Governor Moore stated, articulating his administration's commitment to deploying AI "responsibly." The goal is to dismantle existing barriers that hinder citizens from accessing essential services, including those related to nutrition, housing, and healthcare. He further highlighted that these awards are a testament to Maryland's dedication to harnessing technological potential and ensuring that no resident is left behind.
Multi-Million Dollar Investments in Public Benefit Innovation
The state has secured significant funding through two distinct grants:
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$1.2 Million Grant for Human Services Enhancement: This substantial grant will fuel a multi-state initiative co-led by the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, and Maryland Benefits. The primary objective of this project is to develop AI-powered tools designed to expedite the verification of work requirements, reduce administrative complexities, and improve the accessibility of critical programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.
Maryland will serve as the central hub for this effort, working through the American Public Human Services Association, a national consortium of leaders from local human services agencies. A key aspect of this project is the commitment to building the AI tools as open-source modules. This approach will empower other states to readily adapt the software for their own public benefits programs, fostering a collaborative and scalable model for innovation. The Center for Civic Futures has indicated that this project will be developed in partnership with Nava PBC, a firm renowned for its expertise in assisting governments with the design and enhancement of digital services.
This initiative arrives at a critical juncture, coinciding with the implementation of new federal work requirements stipulated in legislation signed earlier this year. State officials project that these requirements could impact a significant portion of Maryland's population, potentially affecting up to 80,000 individuals enrolled in SNAP benefits and approximately 300,000 Medicaid recipients.
Patrick Mulford, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary at the Maryland Department of Information Technology, assured that "all final decisions regarding benefits will be made exclusively by agency staff, never by AI tools." He further explained that for programs such as SNAP, AI will be instrumental in assisting customers to submit more complete and accurate documentation upfront. This, in turn, is expected to accelerate processing times and enable agency staff to make more precise benefit determinations.
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$1.45 Million Grant for Labor Department Efficiency: The second grant, amounting to $1.45 million, will be allocated to the Maryland Department of Labor. This agency intends to collaborate with applied research groups from Harvard University, specifically the Government Performance Lab and the Computational Policy Lab. The partnership will focus on testing AI tools engineered to enhance service delivery.
According to the administration, the Center for Civic Futures highlighted that this project will incorporate advanced training simulators for staff and sophisticated AI systems. These tools are designed to empower caseworkers by helping them navigate complex regulations and efficiently process paperwork. In a statement, Labor Secretary Portia Wu underscored that the initiative's core purpose is to alleviate administrative burdens and elevate the quality of customer service.
Mulford outlined the state's plan to meticulously track key performance indicators, such as the time it takes for customers to submit work verification information. This data will be crucial for evaluating the pilot programs. The state will also actively solicit feedback from community organizations that provide assistance to applicants and conduct thorough assessments of the efficiency and accuracy of administrative processes. While a definitive timeline is yet to be established, Mulford indicated that the state will employ agile development methodologies throughout the grant periods. This approach will facilitate rapid deployment, iterative testing, comprehensive evaluation, and continuous refinement of the AI tools. Any subsequent continuation or expansion of these projects beyond the initial grant period will be contingent upon a thorough analysis of their outcomes.
Upholding Privacy and Ethical AI Deployment
These grants are being awarded at a time when Governor Moore is increasingly positioning Maryland as a frontrunner in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing. In past public statements and interviews, Governor Moore has consistently articulated his vision for AI to significantly improve government efficiency in critical areas like hunger relief and child poverty, while simultaneously emphasizing the paramount importance of implementing robust safeguards.
State officials have confirmed that any AI systems developed through these grants will adhere strictly to Maryland’s Responsible AI Policy. This policy mandates comprehensive reviews focusing on data security, individual privacy, and ethical considerations.
"The AI tools are being created on the state’s secure, private technology platform, not through a commercial company. This ensures that no private customer information will be used, seen, or utilized to train the AI for commercial reasons," Mulford clarified. He emphasized that "The system’s main focus is protecting data security and privacy. We will not use any customer’s personal content for training the AI without their clear permission."
Del. Caylin Young, representing Baltimore City, who previously advocated for legislation aimed at enhancing the understanding and integration of AI in Maryland schools, praised the governor and his team. He commended them for "setting the state up for long-term success by leveraging new technology."
"I’m glad to see that Maryland is positioned to lead real implementation of AI on real use cases that’ll improve outcomes for our residents," Young stated in an email. He added that while the legislature has a role in ensuring appropriate legal frameworks, oversight, and guardrails, "Ultimately, that’s a good challenge to face."
Despite this optimism, some lawmakers have expressed reservations, particularly concerning the application of AI in workforce contexts. State Sen. Katie Fry Hester, a Democrat representing parts of Howard and Montgomery Counties, voiced concerns during the 2025 legislative session regarding the potential for discrimination if employers were to utilize AI in screening job applicants. A bill proposed by Fry Hester to prohibit such screening, except under stringent conditions, did not advance, and it remains uncertain whether she will reintroduce the measure when the legislature reconvenes.
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