While federal conversations about AI have increasingly focused on deregulation, with Vice President JD Vance declaring that "AI's future will not be won by hand-wringing about safety" and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios advocating in his recent confirmation hearing for removing guardrails, we believe a more balanced approach is essential.
That's why, in my capacity as Chief AI Strategist for the State of New Jersey I am working with the National Governors Association, the Center for Public Sector AI, the Center for Information Technology Policy, the AI Hub at Princeton and InnovateUS to bring together the innovators and implementers who are actually doing the work—state AI officers, policy leaders, technologists, and researchers—to create practical frameworks for responsible AI development.
As organizers of "Shaping the Future of AI: A National Gathering for State AI Leaders," we see states as the natural laboratories for democratic AI innovation. When we watch the federal discourse shift toward unrestricted development, we recognize that states must step up to determine how AI can improve government services, strengthen democracy, and enhance community engagement—all while addressing crucial questions of safety and equitable access.
When we watch the federal discourse shift toward unrestricted development, we recognize that states must step up to determine how AI can improve government services, strengthen democracy, and enhance community engagement—all while addressing crucial questions of safety and equitable access.
Our June 16-17, 2025 gathering at Princeton University isn't just another conference. It's a working meeting designed to produce actionable results. We're creating a focused setting where state leaders can tackle the most pressing challenges in public sector AI and leave with concrete tools they can implement immediately.
Our June 16-17, 2025 gathering at Princeton University isn't just another conference. It's a working meeting designed to produce actionable results. We're creating a focused setting where state leaders can tackle the most pressing challenges in public sector AI and leave with concrete tools they can implement immediately.
We see state and local governments standing at a critical crossroads with artificial intelligence. The acceleration of public sector AI investments presents us with a unique opportunity to harness these technologies to rebuild public trust, deliver better services, and create economic growth while upholding our democratic values. But we can only seize this opportunity through intentional collaboration and careful planning.
That's why we've structured our two-day working conference around five interconnected priorities we believe are essential for states to lead in AI innovation:
Expanding Access: We're looking at ways to ensure AI capabilities reach all communities equitably and affordably, with special attention to shared public compute resources that democratize access to AI development.
Building Trust: Together, we'll discuss frameworks for transparent, explainable AI systems with clear accountability to residents, making complex systems understandable to all audiences.
Strengthening Governance: We'll examine successful models of AI-enabled civic engagement and strategies for increasing government effectiveness through better service delivery.
Unlocking Data: Our workshop will advance secure, privacy-protecting frameworks that enable AI innovation while addressing challenges of data quality, historical biases, and infrastructure needs.
Driving Innovation: We're committed to accelerating AI research and development through sustainable funding mechanisms and governance structures aligned with democratic principles.
Our gathering responds to a challenge I see daily: the need for more focus on and attention to the question of how to leverage AI to improve the workings of government for its residents.
States are uniquely positioned to lead this charge. As AI becomes essential infrastructure for governance and civic life, we believe state governments can develop models and applications that modernize public services while ensuring these powerful tools remain accessible to all communities.
This isn't just about discussing the latest technologies—it's about creating actionable frameworks that enable all of us to harness AI's power while protecting our democratic values. Together, we can ensure these transformative technologies serve all communities equitably and responsibly.
For more information about "Shaping the Future of AI: A National Gathering for State AI Leaders," please contact [email protected].
