A new visualization created by Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation aims to fill that gap by compiling a broad set of policy actions, organizational structures and technical tools that together illustrate how states are approaching digital transformation. Rather than evaluating which states are “ahead,” the resource provides a snapshot of how different governments are organizing their digital efforts — and where key capabilities are beginning to emerge nationwide.
The “State of State Digital Transformation” interactive map merges multiple research streams that the Beeck Center has developed over several years, each focused on a different aspect of digital governance. These include trackers monitoring executive orders, AI legislation, digital service teams, chief data officers and the emergence of statewide design systems.
By bringing these data sets together, the tool highlights variation in how states build capacity. Some have leaned on executive action to establish digital service offices or data authorities. Others have legislated guardrails for the public sector’s use of AI. Still others have invested in design systems to standardize user interfaces and boost accessibility. For users, the visualization also provides a quick way to see which states have formal digital service teams or public-facing impact reports. It also surfaces where chief data officers have been appointed.
These variations reflect broader trends: A large majority of states and territories — 82 percent — have issued at least one executive order touching digital transformation in the past decade. Similarly, a growing number of states have passed legislation aimed at clarifying or constraining government use of AI, showing both the rapid adoption of new technologies and the push for their responsible deployment.
Against this backdrop, the comprehensive results displayed in the digital map offer a clear snapshot of public service modernization. Digital service teams now exist in more than a quarter of states, according to the Beeck Center, though their structures differ: some operate within technology agencies, while others function as standalone units with cross-agency mandates. Public impact reporting, however, remains rare, with only 14 percent of states publishing regular summaries of their work.
Additionally, chief data officers are now present in most states — a notable shift from just a few years ago — indicating broader recognition of the role data governance plays in modern service delivery. Meanwhile, nearly 40 percent of states have created or are building standardized design systems.
The Beeck Center’s information, however, emphasizes that its map is not a scoreboard. Instead, it captures an environment where data quality and transparency vary. And some states share details openly, while others have limited public documentation.
Importantly, the map is built for iteration. Users can submit updates or corrections, and the Beeck Center plans to expand the underlying research as new digital practices emerge. As state governments continue to adopt AI governance frameworks, experiment with human-centered design and formalize digital service units, the resource will track those shifts.
