Official State of Rhode Island website

Governor Dan McKee RI 2030 Plan Charting a Course for the Future of the Ocean State

Strengthening Cybersecurity and Modernizing Technology Infrastructure

  • Established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force through Executive Order 24-06, convening leaders from higher education, government, small business, healthcare, and industry to develop a roadmap for ethical AI adoption and position Rhode Island as a leader in AI readiness and implementation. The Task Force completed a summary report in January 2026 outlining practical, sector-specific recommendations to advance responsible artificial intelligence adoption across manufacturing and trades, defense, government, finance, education, health care, and small businesses and nonprofits, while identifying cross-sector priorities and highlighting Rhode Island’s unique opportunities to lead in AI deployment.
  • Modernized permitting and licensing processes at the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) through the launch of new digital platforms in 2025, including online systems for boating registration renewals, Agriculture and Pesticide licensing, Freshwater Wetlands, RI Pollutant Discharging Elimination System Construction General Permit, Water Quality Certification, Underground Injection Control, and OWTS/Septic applications. These rollouts replace decades-old, paper-based systems and mark a foundational shift toward more responsive, user-friendly, and sustainable environmental permitting.
  • Partnered with the Secretary of State’s Office to modernize business registration through a new unified online platform that allows businesses and registered agents to manage filings in one place, streamlining startup processes and enabling consistent information sharing across state agencies.
  • Earned Gold Certification under Results for America’s Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence, a national benchmark recognizing Rhode Island’s leadership in evidence-based policymaking through strong statewide data governance, cross-agency integrated data systems, sustained investment in evaluation and performance management, and the use of data and evidence to guide funding decisions and improve outcomes across health, education, workforce, housing, and public safety programs. 
  • Launched the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), a fully modern, cloud-based state financial, payroll, and human resources management solution across all State agencies and institutes of higher education—ushering in new levels of transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in how the state conducts business and manages day-to-day operations.
  • Published the State of Rhode Island Cybersecurity Plan, developed by the state’s Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information Security Officer in collaboration with a statewide cybersecurity planning group of municipal representatives.  The plan outlines a joint effort to improve public sector cybersecurity through targeted SLCGP grant investments focused on: (1) mitigating identified cybersecurity risks; (2) adopting zero trust principles and architecture and (3) promoting a cyber-aware culture across state and local government.
  • Administered the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) to fund cybersecurity improvements, with the Governor’s FY 2023 – FY 2026 budgets including matching funds to maximize municipal participation. As of November 2025, over 121 projects have been submitted by 33 participating municipalities, totaling over $10 million in cybersecurity improvements, with the State providing over $1.4 million of the funds.
  • Invested in technology Centers of Excellence, including Cloud Hosting, Low Code Applications, Data and AI, and Zero Trust Cybersecurity Architecture, to transform state operations and drive efficiency through technology modernization.