Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Task Force that will study emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The Task Force will be responsible for analyzing the potential impacts of AI on society as well as preparing recommendations to identify government actions encouraging the ethical use of AI technologies.
With the potential for AI to be transformative across public and private sectors, the Task Force will work to ensure that the State’s use of AI is fair, accessible, and beneficial to all New Jerseyans.
“As a hub for commercial activity, business, and research and development, New Jersey has long served as a national leader for innovation and the development of new technologies,” Murphy said. “With the rapid development of AI, New Jersey aspires to harness these new technologies and realize their benefits to better serve our state, encourage innovation and economic growth, and promote social and economic equity. I am proud to establish a Task Force that will not only work to understand the benefits of AI but also analyze its growth and potential risks. It is critical that New Jersey continue to foster an environment for innovation while protecting individual and civil rights, and I am confident that the AI Task Force will further this important mission.”
Murphy also announced a nation-leading initiative to educate New Jersey’s State workforce about the development, use, and risks of AI. The New Jersey Office of Innovation, in collaboration with InnovateUS, will launch a free AI training targeted to state workers in the coming months.
The Task Force will consist of co-chairs including the Office of Information Technology chief technology officer, the Office of Innovation chief innovation officer, and the Economic Development Authority chief executive officer, as well as members that include the Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, commissioner of the Department of Education, the secretary of Higher Education, the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the attorney general, or their designees.
The governor may, as determined to be appropriate, appoint additional members to the Task Force. The Task Force will consult with industry leaders, academic experts, consumer advocates, and government innovators to build out its recommendations.
“As the CTO for New Jersey, I am honored to serve on the Governor Murphy’s Task Force focused on enhancing equity and delivering superior resident experiences,” New Jersey Chief Technology Officer Chris Rein said. “We recognize the immense potential of generative AI as a powerful tool to elevate our Executive Branch agencies’ services. Our approach to implementing this technology in state government is marked by careful attention to security, resident data privacy, equitable access, and stringent bias prevention measures. We are committed to ensuring that NJ residents benefit from these advancements while upholding our values.”
“New Jersey, with its highly-educated technology talent pool and legacy in innovation, is well positioned for national leadership in AI,” Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority said. “I applaud Governor Murphy’s proactive approach to ensure the risks and benefits of AI are appropriately understood, while also working to ensure our businesses and innovation leaders are at the forefront of the emerging field. I look forward to working with the Task Force to help secure New Jersey’s role as a leader in AI and help grow and diversify our economy.”