As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to emerge, state officials want to stoke its potential in Tennessee while establishing guardrails for innovation and privacy for citizens.
This is the basic idea laid forth in the state’s first AI road map. The report is from the state’s AI Advisory Council, which has been meeting regularly on the topic for months. The group says its action plan is a “comprehensive roadmap for ensuring the responsible, transparent, and effective use of AI across state government, education, and industry.” The group also says “the time to act is now.”
“Tennessee’s values of integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility make innovation possible without compromising public trust,” said Jim Bryson, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and co-chair of the Tennessee AI Advisory Council. “This plan ensures that every Tennessean benefits from the opportunities AI brings.”
The report found that AI is already having an impact on Tennessee’s labor market, especially in jobs involving writing, data, and analysis. The report said, “how fast and how well workers adapt will determine outcomes.” For this, the council recommended the creation of a new “AI & Work” dashboard to track how the new technology is affecting the state’s labor market.
The group also said the state would open hiring and contracting to include those with micro-credentials and skills, not just college degrees. It listed the “AI for All” minor at the University of Memphis as an example.
AI impacts all major industries and job titles, the report said, and listed things like hospitals using the tech to summarize medical notes as an example. For this, the council suggested expanding other credentials for secondary education here to include courses like Google AI Essentials.
Further, the University of Tennessee should harness the Center for AI Security Research at Oak Ridge National Laboratories to research industry sector challenges, like improving rural health access. Also, K-12 districts should include AI in the classroom, under guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.
The council suggested the state should use AI to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance talent development. They suggested new incentives for AI-focused business relocations, more AI training throughout the state, and even a marketing campaign called, “Build with AI in Tennessee,” to attract talent and companies.
The council wants to do all of this in a measured, ethical way that also protects the rights of Tennesseans, the report said. The group suggested against regulating the industry too much while supporting its growth here. New AI laws should align with existing state and federal frameworks on things like privacy, intellectual property, and free speech. Also, when laws are passed, courts should be allowed to interpret them before new rules are made.
For all of this and more, the council advised a “test-learn-scale” approach using pilot projects. Results of future projects are likely to appear in the council’s annual reports, due to the Tennessee General Assembly each year until 2028.
The report is important as it signals that the use of AI is off the sidelines and will soon be woven into the many facets of running the state.
“We are moving from planning to action,” said Kristin Darby, co-chair the council and Chief Information Officer for the state of Tennessee. “Tennessee’s approach will balance innovation with oversight that accelerates progress while protecting citizen rights and privacy.”
Read the full report here.