A new Executive Order will help further establish North Carolina as a leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein announced Tuesday.
Stein said his order will ensure the state’s leadership in AI literacy, governance, and deployment. It establishes an AI Leadership Council, an AI Accelerator within the Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), and AI Oversight Teams in each state agency.
“AI has the potential to transform how we work and live, carrying with it both extraordinary opportunities and real risks,” Stein said in a statement. “Our state will be stronger if we are equipped to take on these challenges responsibly. I am looking forward to this council helping our state effectively deploy AI to enhance government operations, drive economic growth, and improve North Carolinians’ lives.”
NCDIT Secretary Teena Piccione, co-chair of the Council, said the group will work to fully harness the potential of AI to benefit businesses, communities, and the people of North Carolina.
“The AI Accelerator, along with our other initiatives, puts us in a strong position to implement swift and transformative solutions that will not only position North Carolina at the forefront of technological innovation but also uphold the latest standards of data privacy and security,” Piccione said.
North Carolina has become home to large-scale AI projects, including the $10 billion Amazon AI Innovation campus in Richmond County, and the FUJIFILM Diosynth facility in Holly Springs — the largest biomanufacturing facility in North America.
Currently, AI technology is being deployed across the state to improve government operations by identifying burdensome regulations and to provide user-friendly AI agents to assist with navigating state services.
The Council will advise and support the Governor, as well as other state agencies on implementing AI strategy, policy, and training to foster innovation and advance North Carolina’s AI-driven industries.
In order to mitigate the increased demand AI technology is expected to have on North Carolina’s energy grid, Stein notes that proactive planning is essential to promote job growth and manage demand.
Furthermore, the executive order mandates an AI Oversight Team for each state agency, while laying out the parameters for an AI Literacy and Fraud Prevention Training Program for the general public.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work and industry, and North Carolina has a unique opportunity to lead in this transformation,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, co-chair of the Council. “I’m honored to help guide the state’s AI strategy so we can unlock economic growth, attract innovation, and prepare our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.”
