Governor Josh Stein on Monday, September 8 signed an executive order to position North Carolina as a national leader in artificial intelligence, establishing new structures to guide its safe and strategic adoption across government and industry.

The order creates an AI Leadership Council, chaired by Secretary of Information Technology Teena Piccione and Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, as well as an AI Accelerator within the Department of Information Technology and dedicated AI Oversight Teams in every state agency.

“AI has the potential to transform how we work and live, carrying with it both extraordinary opportunities and real risks,” Stein said. “Our state will be stronger if we are equipped to take on these challenges responsibly.”

Piccione said the accelerator will serve as a hub for governance, research, and training, allowing the state to implement “swift and transformative solutions” while safeguarding data privacy. Lilley emphasized the economic potential, noting that AI is “reshaping the future of work and industry” and that North Carolina is well-positioned to attract innovation and prepare its workforce for new jobs.

Under the executive order, agencies will also deploy AI tools to streamline regulations and offer user-friendly digital agents to improve access to public services. A new literacy and fraud prevention program will provide training to North Carolinians on safe AI use.