Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has tapped Jeff Maxon to become the state’s new chief information technology officer (CITO) and leader of its Office of Information Technology Services (OITS).

The Kansas state government, under the direction of Gov. Laura Kelly, will adopt a new generative AI policy. The policy, created by the Kansas Office of Information Technology Services (OITS), outlines how Kansas can responsibly embrace and use the technology while also protecting the state.

Kansas’ newly announced Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program will provide $30 million in competitive funding opportunities to build the infrastructure needed for more homes and businesses to access broadband services.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly recently signed a bill that aims to improve public awareness of cybersecurity incidents, authorize the state to make changes to cybersecurity training, assessments, and responses,  and modernize Kansas cybersecurity systems.  

In a bid to close the digital divide, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced that the state will invest $44.5 million to expand access to high-speed internet statewide.

In a bid to connect rural communities to high-speed broadband services, Kansas will use $15.7 million in Federal funding to connect more than 1,900 homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and other public institutions to broadband in the next 24 months.

In the face of increasing ransomware attacks, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced the creation of a bipartisan cybersecurity task force to protect the state’s digital infrastructure.

The city of Pittsburg in Kansas announced that it is partnering with Pittsburg Community Schools to develop a new high-speed broadband network to close the digital divide for K-12 students.

In times of crisis, one of a state’s most important responsibilities is to deliver accurate information efficiently to citizens. This capability is essential to allaying fears, ensuring public safety, and expediting the delivery of critical services.

The State of Kansas is working to meet residents where they are by delivering services through a single mobile app.  Leveraging the power of the cloud, they are able to provide services from multiple departments and enhance the citizen experience.