Fairfax County was recently honored with the Commonwealth Technology Award for Innovative Use of Data, Analytics & AI – Local, recognizing leadership in modernizing government services through responsible and secure artificial intelligence.
The Department of Information Technology’s (DIT) award‑winning initiative brings together innovation, data, cybersecurity, applications, infrastructure and governance teams to strengthen service delivery for both residents and employees. Central to the program is Ask Fairfax, the new Generative AI assistant that makes government information easier to navigate, supports multilingual access and connects users to accurate, authoritative resources across departments.
For county staff, DIT implemented secure AI tools including Microsoft Copilot, the Fairfax County Chat Assistant, and specialized Copilot Studio agents that streamline research, document work, records management and other time‑intensive tasks.
DIT also developed a first‑of‑its‑kind centralized AI analytics platform, providing visibility into AI usage across more than 16,000 employees. This capability informs targeted training, licensing decisions, cybersecurity oversight and responsible‑use governance. As of June, 46 percent of county employees have adopted at least one approved AI tool, with Copilot usage more than doubling since January.
“This initiative demonstrates how we can use modern technology responsibly to improve access, efficiency and service delivery for our community,” said Matthew Harrison, chief information officer for Fairfax County.
DIT Receives Additional Technology Award for Digital Infrastructure Modernization
DIT was also recognized for its Digital Infrastructure Modernization Initiative, a multi‑year transformation that unified enterprise networking, wireless, voice and collaboration systems, cybersecurity, hybrid cloud application security and physical infrastructure under one strategic vision.
This effort improved resiliency and cybersecurity across approximately 235 facilities and more than 40 agencies, while reducing technical debt and operational complexity. Key results included:
- 27 percent reduction in network switch footprint
- 250 percent expansion of enterprise Wi‑Fi coverage
- 35 percent decrease in physical telephone deployments
Government technology professionals gathered in Richmond last month for the 2026 Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium, connecting with peers, exploring emerging tools and trends, and gaining new insight into the future of technology across the commonwealth.