Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) Selected for AI 50 Award
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) Selected for AI 50 Award
UCPCOG Named to 2025 AI 50 List Recognizing Top Public Sector AI Innovators
Wilson, North Carolina — The Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) has been named one of the AI 50 Public Sector Innovators, a national recognition awarded by the Center for Public Sector AI and Government Technology. The AI 50 honors 25 individuals and 25 organizations that are using artificial intelligence to make government more efficient, equitable, and responsive.
UCPCOG is the first regional council in the United States to receive this type of award. This recognition reflects UCPCOG’s work in designing and implementing secure, practical AI solutions that meet the real needs of small and rural public agencies. Its innovations include the GovAI Platform, which helps staff draft permits, summarize documents, and generate policy materials, and the AskAshleigh Virtual Assistant, which offers real-time caregiver support tied to local aging services. UCPCOG also leads the AI Academy, a regional training initiative that supports AI skill development across all government roles. The UCPCOG also has a partnership with a technology partner that provides digital twin planning for rural local governments, and pilot projects are underway with five local governments in the region.
“We’re honored to be selected for the AI 50 Awards, recognizing our work to apply AI in meaningful ways for public service,” said Robert C. Hiett, Executive Director and Chief AI Officer at UCPCOG. “This is a proud moment for our team and a signal of what’s possible when we put innovation to work for our communities.”
The AI 50 list was curated by the Center for Public Sector AI in partnership with e.Republic and Government Technology. It celebrates leaders and programs that are shaping the future of AI use in the public sector. “AI has the potential to positively redefine effective and efficient government,” said Dustin Haisler, President of e.Republic and Co-Lead of CPSAI. “This program recognizes those in the trenches shaping the market and, most importantly, the use cases and insights others can learn from.”
To view the full list of AI 50 winners, visit:
About UCPCOG
The Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments serves a five-county region in Eastern North Carolina, providing planning, aging, workforce, transportation, and innovation services to more than 40 municipalities. UCPCOG leads the UCPCOG AI Network, a secure regional AI implementation model that supports public service agencies with training, vetted tools, peer collaboration, and policy oversight.
Media Contact:
Robert C. Hiett
Executive Director & Chief AI Officer
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
252-234-5952
rhiett@ucpcog.org
Additional Info
Media Contact : Robert C. Hiett
Source : Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments