ITS Board Meeting: December 18, 2025 (Virtual Only)

Emerging Technologies

We strive to empower Mississippi government with proven, cost-effective solutions by not only keeping pace with technological advancements but also by strategically guiding their implementation, ensuring that state agencies can leverage the latest technologies to better serve the citizens of Mississippi.

AI Acceptable Use Policy

Setting the Standard for Responsible, Transparent, and Secure AI in State Government

 

If you were unable to attend the ITS launch call on our AI Acceptable Use Policy, please watch the recording here. The slide deck can be found here.

Mississippi has taken a major step toward ensuring the safe, ethical, and effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across state government. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) AI Acceptable Use Policy, approved on November 25, 2025, establishes the ITS’ first comprehensive framework governing how AI may be used within the ITS.  

This policy fulfills the directives of Executive Order 1584, issued by Governor Tate Reeves in January 2025, which charged ITS with leading statewide AI strategy, guidelines, and governance.  

The result is a clear, practical policy that protects Mississippians while enabling agencies to safely adopt AI tools that increase efficiency, improve service delivery, and support modern government operations. 

Why This Policy Matters 

AI is rapidly transforming the way organizations work, and Mississippi’s state government is no exception. 

This AI Acceptable Use Policy ensures this innovation is paired with strong guardrails, establishing: 

  • Clear expectations for responsible, ethical, and transparent AI use
  • Protections for sensitive and confidential information
  • Required human oversight for all AI-supported decisions
  • Rules for prohibited and high-risk AI activities
  • Consistent standards that agencies can adopt and build upon

Core Principles of Mississippi’s AI Governance Framework 

The policy is built on ten guiding principles designed to uphold public trust and safeguard state systems. These include:

AI Principles Graphic
  1. Innovation – Agencies are encouraged to use AI to modernize services and improve outcomes while maintaining privacy, security, and public trust.
  2. Responsible, Ethical, and Transparent Use – AI must be explainable, traceable, and understandable. This includes notifying individuals when AI is used and ensuring decisions are accountable and reviewable.
  3. Fairness – AI systems must be tested to identify and reduce bias or discriminatory outcomes.
  4. Employee Oversight and Decision-Making – AI can assist but cannot replace human judgment. Employees are responsible for reviewing and validating all AI outputs before use.
  5. Privacy and Data Protection – Sensitive, confidential, or personally identifiable information (PII) may not be entered into unapproved AI tools. Any AI system using PII requires additional safeguards and approval.
  6. Safety and Security – AI systems must undergo security and risk assessments and comply with statewide technology and cybersecurity standards.
  7. Accountability – Agencies remain responsible for the performance, impacts, and consequences of AI systems, which must be regularly monitored and audited.
  8. Accessibility – AI tools should be designed to be inclusive and usable by people of all abilities, languages, and backgrounds.
  9. Accuracy, Validity and Reliability – AI systems must demonstrate accurate and reliable performance through mechanisms that ensure they function as intended.
  10. Auditability – AI systems and outputs should be regularly audited and monitored to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and best practices.

What AI Uses Are Prohibited? 

To protect the public and state systems, the policy clearly prohibits:

  • Using AI to generate deepfakes, impersonations, or misleading content
  • Relying on AI to make final or sensitive decisions (e.g., legal, personnel, compliance)
  • Using AI systems owned or operated by foreign adversaries
  • Entering confidential or personal data into unapproved AI tools
  • Treating AI output as accurate without human verification

Training, Education & Ongoing Support 

More information about AI training can be found on the AI Training Page. Additionally, send any questions you have about the Acceptable Use Policy to ITS AI in Mississippi team at aim@its.ms.gov. These questions will be used to build an ongoing dedicated FAQ page for guidance and AI policy questions. 

Agencies are also encouraged to work with the AI Innovation Hub to explore safe, effective AI use cases and workforce upskilling. 

Learn More or Get Support 

Mississippi remains committed to leading with innovation, paired with strong governance, to ensure AI strengthens state services and delivers real value to residents.