AUGUSTA – Governor Janet Mills immediately signed an Executive Order establishing a job power to look at the alternatives and implications of synthetic intelligence (AI) for Maine’s folks, economic system, and establishments.
The Governor’s Executive Order is available in response to a fast surge of technological developments which are poised to revolutionize how folks reside and work. Almost one-fifth of the U.S. workforce is classed as “extremely uncovered” to AI, making them significantly susceptible to job transformations pushed by developments in synthetic intelligence. On the similar time, AI has the potential to create new jobs and companies, enhance productiveness and effectivity, and scale back limitations to entry in some technical fields.
The Maine Artificial Intelligence Task Force will deliver collectively enterprise, training, labor, authorities, and neighborhood leaders to check the challenges and alternatives related to the proliferation of AI. The Task Force is charged with making ready coverage suggestions that can place Maine to harness the advantages of AI whereas minimizing dangers for folks and companies.
“Rising AI applied sciences provide the potential to enhance lives, drive financial development, and assist remedy advanced challenges. However like all new applied sciences, AI, if not embraced in a prudent and accountable method, may cause doubtlessly dangerous modifications to the lives and livelihoods of Maine folks,” stated Governor Janet Mills. “The Maine Artificial Intelligence Task Force will deliver leaders collectively from throughout the state to make sure that Maine is embracing the alternatives offered by AI whereas mitigating threats to Maine folks and companies.”
“Artificial intelligence presents unimaginable alternatives for Maine companies to innovate and develop, however we should additionally take proactive steps to assist guarantee Maine’s economic system is ready to adapt to the fast tempo of change,” stated Heather Johnson, Commissioner of Financial & Neighborhood Growth.
“Artificial intelligence holds great promise for Maine–from enhancing training and healthcare to bettering authorities companies, strengthening local weather resilience, and addressing workforce challenges,” stated Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor’s Workplace on Coverage Innovation & the Future. “The Maine Artificial Intelligence Task Force will work to assist guarantee these developments profit Maine folks whereas minimizing disruptions to our communities sand economic system.”
The Governor’s Executive Order directs the Task Force to check and provide suggestions in a report no later than October 31, 2025 that:
Put together Maine’s economic system and workforce for the alternatives and dangers prone to outcome from advances in AI;
Shield Maine residents from doubtlessly dangerous makes use of of AI applied sciences, akin to safeguarding client knowledge privateness, mitigating bias in datasets, and mandating disclosure round AI utilization; and
Discover essentially the most promising use circumstances for State companies, quasi-State companies, and different public entities akin to municipalities to deploy synthetic intelligence applied sciences to handle capability gaps and enhance service supply.
Members of the 21-member Task Force will embody leaders from Maine state and municipal authorities, the College of Maine System, and the Maine Neighborhood School System, in addition to members representing Maine employees, companies, well being care, civil rights advocacy, and a client safety group. The Governor will announce members of the Task Force within the coming weeks.
The Governor’s Executive Order additionally establishes a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of subject material consultants in expertise, authorized points, power, and workforce coverage to advise the Task Force.
The Task Force is anticipated to start assembly in January.
Maine is amongst at the least 26 states which have or are establishing a job power, fee, or related physique to advise coverage makers on rising AI-related applied sciences. The Mills Administration has already taken steps via the Maine Workplace of Info Know-how to research threat for state infrastructure and information state company utilization of AI instruments.
Read the Governor’s Executive Order.
