Tennessee’s AI Advisory Council Membership Information released a report this week on how the state should use artificial intelligence (AI) in the future.
The report, titled “Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Action Plan,” said it wants Tennessee to be a “national leader in responsible use of AI.”
Tennessee “will use AI to make government faster, simpler, and more efficient while protecting citizens’ rights, privacy, and jobs. The vision is to help every Tennessean benefit from AI
Opportunities,” the report said.
The report acknowledged AI will affect how people “work, learn, and live.”
However, the report noted Tennessee is “well-positioned” to lead in the responsible use of AI.
“Tennessee’s values of integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility form a foundation that makes innovation possible without compromising public trust,” it said.
The report stated AI “is no longer theoretical” and it is already affecting businesses, state governments, and how people live. Any delays in implementing AI could cause Tennessee to lose a “competitive advantage,” a chance to “increase efficiency”, and “improve lives.”
With Tennessee acting now, it will help the state “establish coherent guardrails, demonstrate responsible innovation, and attract the talent and capital that accompany technological leadership,” the report said.
Jim Bryson, who is the co-chair of the Tennessee AI Advisory Council and state commissioner of the Department of Finance and Administration, said the Volunteer State’s “plan ensures that every Tennessean benefits from the opportunities AI brings.”
To help Tennessee with AI, the report said Tennessee should create measurable AI pilot projects that improve service delivery and efficiency.
The report also noted the state should establish a secure statewide infrastructure for safe AI experimentation.
On top of this, the report stated that Tennessee should promote AI literacy, reskilling programs, and educational partnerships, and build its governance and risk management to secure people’s data and trust.
Specific policy recommendations the report advocated that Tennessee implement include creating an “AI & Work” dashboard to track the effects of AI on the job market. In education, the report recommended adopting AI classroom policies that are “age-appropriate, research-supported, and subject to parental oversight.”
To help attract AI talent to Tennessee, the report suggested using grant funds to incentivize relocation.
Kristin Darby, co-chair of the Tennessee AI Advisory Council and Tennessee’s CIO, noted the state is “moving from planning to action.”
“Tennessee’s approach will balance innovation with oversight that accelerates progress while protecting citizen rights and privacy,” she stated.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.
