5 States Driving America’s AI Transformation in 2025

78% of organizations in the U.S. are now using AI, up from just 55% the year before, according to Stanford’s 2024 AI Index. 

This index by DesignRush breaks that national trend down by state, showing which ones are best prepared to lead, and why Utah, Delaware, and Vermont are at the top.  

What Is the AI Readiness Index? 

The AI Readiness Index ranks all 50 states based on how well-positioned they are to benefit from AI in 2025.

It uses fresh data on business adoption, workforce trends, public interest, and legislation. 

Why It Matters 

AI is already reshaping how we work, hire, and build. A state’s AI readiness influences: 

• Where companies build teams 
  In Utah and Delaware, 1 in 20 jobs is digital. The talent’s there, even if most resumes still die in 6 seconds. 

• Where tech jobs are growing 
  Arizona and Vermont are hiring for tech roles faster than you can Google “how to update a resume.” 

• Where AI laws exist 
  Only 5 states got a perfect score on legislation. The rest are busy asking if AI is coming for their job instead of doing theirs.

AI companies can use state-level readiness scores to make smarter decisions about where to hire, expand, and stay ahead of changing regulations.

Top 5 States for AI Readiness 

1. Utah (Score: 85.18) 

Utah ranks #1 in our 2025 AI Readiness Index thanks to strong adoption, active hiring, and clear legislation.  

AI adoption sits at 8.8%, with a 4.0% increase starting in 2023. Over 5.2% of all job postings are digital, while unemployment remains low at 3.3%.

The public is engaged too, with around 126 AI searches per 1,000 people. Salt Lake City’s growing tech economy contributes heavily to this momentum.  

It’s now ranked among America’s top job markets, according to CNBC. 

2. Delaware (Score: 82.85)

Delaware pairs the nation's highest AI usage with strong laws.  

Home to 68% Fortune 500 companies, Delaware has the highest AI adoption rate in the country, with 11% of businesses already using AI.  

Adoption is up 4.3% since 2023, and the state earns a perfect 4/4 on AI legislation, signaling strong governance. Digital job openings make up 3.9% of listings.

Public interest is strong, too, with 102 AI searches per 1,000 residents. 

3. Virginia (Score: 81.34) 

Virginia blends solid AI adoption with one of the highest levels of public interest in the U.S.

Its 5.7% digital job rate shows strong employer demand for tech talent.  

A recent Virginia Tech study shows AI use is growing in higher education, but challenges remain.

With access to talent from nearby D.C. and a strong policy foundation, this state is showing tremendous growth as a national AI leader. 

4. Vermont (Score: 81.01) 

Vermont ranks fourth despite a lower legislative score.  

As of April 2025, Vermont is also among 34 states with laws addressing deepfakes and nonconsensual AI content. 

However, its rapid adoption of almost 9% (the highest nationwide) and having the biggest share of digital jobs make it a fast-moving leader. 

AI's new leaders may come from smaller colleges like Saint Michael’s College, which recently launched data science majors to help meet Vermont’s growing demand for AI talent, according to Vermont Biz News.

5. Florida (Score: 80.95) 

Florida takes the fifth spot with its strong AI adoption, high search volume, and solid legislative support.  

Nearly 1 in 20 job listings are digital, showing high employer demand.

Real-world examples are emerging: in Sarasota County, Growbo’s founder used AI to save 700+ work hours and grow revenue by 150%.  

This kind of applied innovation shows how businesses in Florida are using AI to scale fast. 

Explore the full dataset to see where your state ranks. 

Methodology: 

DesignRush used six key metrics, each weighted to reflect its impact on AI adoption across business, workforce, and policy.  

The final AI Readiness Score, rated out of 100, is based on the following: 

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