Gov. Murphy establishes state Artificial Intelligence Task Force

NEW JERSEY – Building upon New Jersey’s legacy of leading the next frontiers of discovery and innovation, Governor Phil Murphy Tuesday established an Artificial Intelligence Task Force charged with studying 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.

As AI advances at an unprecedented pace, New Jersey’s reputation as a hub for innovation has led many New Jersey companies and startups to serve as leaders at the forefront of this emerging field. 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.”

Governor 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.

“Generative AI is poised to be a transformative tool for government service delivery. With today’s announcement, New Jersey is leading the way by preparing our government’s professionals to enhance the equitable delivery of government services to New Jersey’s residents, businesses, and institutions,” said Beth Simone Noveck, the State of New Jersey’s Chief Innovation Officer. “As co-chair of the State’s AI Task Force, I’m pleased to partner with my colleagues from across the Administration by investing in the State’s public workforce and making it possible for New Jersey’s public professionals to learn how to use AI for public benefit.”

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.

All members of the Task Force shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and without compensation. 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,” said New Jersey Chief Technology Officer Chris Rein. “ 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,” said Tim Sullivan, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. “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.”

In addition to the work of the Task Force and the Office of Innovation, to assist and further the goals for the use of artificial intelligence technologies across the State, various state agencies and departments will be tasked with various responsibilities:

1. The Economic Development Authority will explore ways in which artificial intelligence can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and be deployed by employers to enhance training and talent development, especially for low-income residents.
2. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education will review artificial intelligence technologies as a research opportunity for New Jersey colleges and universities.
3. The Office of Information Technology shall develop a policy to govern and facilitate use of artificial intelligence technologies by Executive Branch departments and agencies.
4. The Office of Information Technology shall evaluate tools and strategies to improve government services through artificial intelligence; and
5. The Office of Information Technology, the Office of Innovation, and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall support Executive Branch departments and agencies in responsibly deploying artificial intelligence technologies to improve the delivery of government services.

The Task Force will organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members and will convene at least as often as requested by the Governor or Co-Chairs.

The Co-Chairs will issue a report with the Task Force’s findings and recommendations to the Governor no later than 12 months after the effective date of this Order. The report shall be made available to the Legislature and the public at the same time.