TLDR: North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has signed Executive Order No. 24, creating an Artificial Intelligence Leadership Council and an AI Accelerator within the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). This initiative aims to develop a statewide AI roadmap, recommend policy and ethics frameworks, address workforce impacts, and foster responsible AI deployment across government operations and the economy. The council, co-chaired by State CIO Teena Piccione and Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley, will include 22 additional members from public and private sectors.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein officially launched a comprehensive statewide artificial intelligence framework on Tuesday, September 3, 2025, by signing Executive Order No. 24. Titled ‘Advancing Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence That Benefits All North Carolinians,’ the executive order establishes two key entities: the Artificial Intelligence Leadership Council and the North Carolina AI Accelerator.
The AI Leadership Council is tasked with a broad mandate to advise on and support the state’s AI strategy, policy, and training. Its responsibilities include developing a statewide AI roadmap, recommending robust AI policy, governance, and ethics frameworks, and guiding the newly formed AI Accelerator. The council will also address the significant workforce, economic, and infrastructure impacts of AI, and will issue recommendations concerning AI and public safety. Its inaugural report is anticipated by June 30, 2026.
Governor Stein emphasized the transformative potential of AI, stating in a news release, “AI has the potential to transform how we work and live, carrying with it both extraordinary opportunities and real risks. Our state will be stronger if we are equipped to take on these challenges responsibly. I am looking forward to this council helping our state effectively deploy AI to enhance government operations, drive economic growth and improve North Carolinians’ lives.”
Co-chairing the council will be State Chief Information Officer and NCDIT Secretary Teena Piccione, alongside state Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. The governor has appointed 22 additional members, drawing from a diverse pool of public and private sector leaders, including technology experts, educators, state legislators, and representatives from various state agencies. Notable appointees include David Yokum, chief scientist of the Office of State Budget and Management; Vera Cubero, emerging technologies consultant for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction; and Charlotte CIO Markell Storay. Each member will serve a two-year term.
Secretary Piccione expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, remarking, “I am honored to chair this council dedicated to strategically harnessing the exponential potential of AI for the benefit of North Carolina’s people, businesses and communities. The AI Accelerator, along with our other initiatives, puts us in a strong position to implement swift and transformative solutions that will not only position North Carolina at the forefront of technological innovation but also uphold the latest standards of data privacy and security.”
The North Carolina AI Accelerator, housed within the NCDIT, will function as a central hub for AI governance, research, development, and training. Its staff will be responsible for developing a comprehensive AI governance framework, conducting risk assessments, and establishing statewide definitions for AI and generative AI, as outlined in the executive order. Piccione previously highlighted the significant potential for AI in government applications, citing areas such as procurement, fraud detection, and cybersecurity.
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This move by North Carolina reflects a growing trend among states to proactively address AI. The NCDIT recently appointed its first AI governance and policy executive, and the University of North Carolina system is actively integrating AI discussions into its curriculum. State agencies are also exploring safe implementation of AI-powered services. The executive order also acknowledges the impact of AI on energy consumption, particularly concerning data centers, indicating a holistic approach to managing technological advancement.
