Jim Bryson

THE TENNESSEE Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council (AIAC), created by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee last spring, has begun work that should, according to one legislative document, ultimately "guide awareness, education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the state's policies and goals and that supports public employees in the efficient and effective delivery of customer service."

The new 24-member group is led by two co-chairs, State F&A Commissioner Jim Bryson MBA and State Chief Information Officer Stephanie Dedmon PMP MBA.

Bryson's previous private-sector experience includes more than three decades digital qualitative market research.

Stephanie Dedmon

Dedmon has nearly 20 years experience in the State of Tennessee information technology domain, as well as her previous 15 years prior experience with Accenture.

On Aug. 6, Bryson and Dedmon convened the AIAC inaugural meeting, which included discussion of Council legislation, charter and Council member introductions.

At one point in that meeting, Bryson declared, "this will be one of the most important things we do in the next four years."

Though that first AIAC meeting was relatively brief, several speakers made clear they viewed generative AI as an area in which Tennessee can and should achieve substantial leadership standing, in the interest of serving Tennesseans, while managing risks associated with the technology.

Video, agenda, etc., from the Council's Aug. 6 Council meeting are available here. The meeting convenes 4:42 minutes into the video replay.

The Council's next meeting has been set for (confirmed) November 20 at 1 p.m. in state offices in the Tennessee Tower.

There will be a public comment segment in each such meeting, with speakers' advance registration and approval required.

Earlier this year, the Council began populating subcommittees with an array of appointed chairs and-or co-chairs.

Lynne Parker

For example, Lynne Parker PhD, a former U.S. deputy chief technology officer, as well as associate vice chancellor emerita of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, now co-chairs the Council's vital Outcomes subcommittee with Carter Lawrence MBA JD, the state's commissioner for Commerce and Insurance.

The full AIAC member list is here.

Roger Waynick

The Council's founding administrative aide is Roger Waynick MBA, whose is F&A's director of strategic engagement and strategic technology solutions (STS).

The Council's enabling legislation contemplates at least a four-year path, with key milestones already posted.

Not later than May 1, 2025, the Council's chairs are to submit their report on the Council's efforts and progress.

The law -- Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-3-3104, available gratis to the public online -- currently requires the Council to submit to the Governor an AI-related "action plan" addressing two goals:

(1) Position this state competitively to ensure its citizens capture the full economic benefit from artificial intelligence opportunities; and
(2) Responsibly leverage artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of state and local government services.

By December 31 of 2025, 2026, 2027 and of any future year of operation, the Council chairpersons are required, at a minimum, to report to the Governor, The Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives the Council's findings regarding topics including:

(1) The current state of artificial intelligence and its likely impact on this state's labor market conditions;
(2) How the labor market impact might reshape this state's key industries, occupations, and foundational skillsets;
(3) Initiatives to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance talent development in the face of artificial intelligence-related changes;
(4) Recommended legal regulations or policy changes needed to ensure the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in this state, while protecting the rights of Tennessee citizens;
(5) Ways to encourage artificial intelligence innovation and entrepreneurship and strategies to support workers displaced by artificial intelligence;
(6) Proposed policy changes related to workforce development, educational systems, and research opportunities for colleges and universities in this state;
(7) An overview of the goals, benefits, potential uses, and limitations of artificial intelligence systems; and
(8) Recommended ways to promote transparency and accountability for the use of artificial intelligence technologies by measuring, monitoring and reporting outcomes and progress.

Also, not later than December 31, 2028, the joint chairs are to deliver a final report and action plan covering, at a minimum, the following findings:

(1) Principles and values to guide artificial intelligence use in state and local governments;
(2) Governance framework with policies, procedures, and processes for the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence by state and local governments;
(3) Evaluation of potentially beneficial use cases for deployment of artificial intelligence tools and strategies by the state to improve government services;
(4) Risk analysis of potential threats to this state's key infrastructure from artificial intelligence technologies;
(5) Recommendations on how this state can support state and local government employees through the artificial intelligence transition;
(6) Recommendations on how to position this state competitively to ensure its citizens capture the full economic benefit from artificial intelligence opportunities; and
(7) Recommendations on how to responsibly leverage artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of state and local government services.

Naturally, the enabling legislation authorizes the Council to cooperate with state department agencies and departments, as well as with "other persons and organizations with expertise related to artificial intelligence, government infrastructure, and economic development."

Apart from the new Council's launch, on Sept. 9 Tennessee F&A convened representatives of Cabinet agencies to discuss possible uses of AI to improve state government operations. CIO Dedmon was among presenters in that "AI Partner Experience Expo."

Rep. Patsy Hazlewood

State records online indicate that prime sponsors of HB 2325 and SB 2530 included Representatives Patsy Hazlewood (R-27), G.A. Hardaway (D-93) and Clark Boyd (R-46), and Senators Bo Watson (R-11), Dawn White (R-13), Raumesh Akbari (D-29) and Adam Lowe (R-1).

VNC notes that Commissioner Bryson also chairs the State's Information Systems Council (ISC) which develop Information Resources Policies (IRP) including those on GenAI. ISC Archive.

As reported last December by the Council of State Governments, all states have for some time been addressing AI risks and benefits, among myriad other technology issues. More recently, Statescoop and other media reported "mixed enthusiasm" for AI. VNC

. last edited 1500 2 October 2024