NC News -- July 3, 2026: Governor Josh Stein has unveiled North Carolina's first statewide Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategic Roadmap, outlining an ambitious plan to help the state embrace AI while protecting residents, strengthening the workforce, and improving government services.
The roadmap was developed by the Governor's North Carolina AI Leadership Council, bringing together leaders from government, business, education, labor, and the private sector to establish a long-term strategy for how artificial intelligence should be developed and used across North Carolina.
Governor Stein said artificial intelligence is already reshaping how people work, learn, and interact with government, making it essential for North Carolina to act now.
"Artificial intelligence is already changing how we work, learn, and serve the people of our state, and North Carolina must lead with urgency and care," Stein said. "This roadmap gives our state a strategy to protect people from harm, prepare our workforce for opportunity, and transform how government serves the public. Together, we can make North Carolina a place where innovation and trust move forward together."
The roadmap centers on 17 strategic goals organized around three primary priorities designed to prepare North Carolina for the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Protect North Carolinians
The first priority focuses on protecting residents from potential harms associated with artificial intelligence. State leaders plan to strengthen protections for workers, consumers, and critical public systems while addressing issues such as AI-generated fraud, scams, privacy concerns, and cybersecurity risks. The roadmap also emphasizes creating safeguards that ensure AI systems are transparent, accountable, and used responsibly.
Prepare the Workforce
The second priority aims to help North Carolina remain one of the nation's strongest business environments by preparing workers for an economy increasingly influenced by AI. The plan encourages expanding AI education and literacy, helping workers develop new skills, supporting employers adopting AI technologies responsibly, and ensuring communities across the state benefit from technological advances.
State officials say preparing today's workforce for tomorrow's jobs will be critical as AI continues transforming industries ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture, education, and government.
Transform Government Services
The roadmap's third priority focuses on modernizing state government through responsible AI adoption. Officials believe AI has the potential to improve efficiency, streamline services, reduce administrative burdens, and deliver better results for residents while maintaining strong oversight and public trust.
The strategy encourages state agencies to adopt AI thoughtfully while ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper governance throughout implementation.
Building Public Trust
North Carolina Department of Information Technology Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Nate Denny said the roadmap extends beyond technology itself.
"This is not just a technology plan. It is a plan to build public trust," Denny said. "People are relying on AI to interact with information, government services, and one another. That means North Carolina has a responsibility to put the right governance, safeguards, training, and transparency in place so AI is developed responsibly, deployed thoughtfully, and used in ways that improve lives."
Strengthening the Economy
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in the state's economic future.
"AI will play a major role in the future of work, business, and economic competitiveness," Lilley said. "This roadmap positions North Carolina to help workers build new skills, help businesses responsibly adopt new tools, and help communities prepare for the economy of the future. By bringing together government, education, labor, and the private sector, we can make sure AI strengthens opportunity in every region of our state."
A Statewide AI Strategy
Governor Stein established the North Carolina AI Leadership Council through Executive Order 24 in 2025. The council is responsible for advising the Governor and state agencies on AI policy, workforce development, innovation, and training while helping position North Carolina as a leader in responsible artificial intelligence.
The initiative is designed to encourage innovation while ensuring AI technologies are deployed ethically and safely across both the public and private sectors.
Adding to the state's AI efforts, the North Carolina General Assembly recently created the North Carolina AI Caucus, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers focused on developing thoughtful policies surrounding artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Looking Ahead
As artificial intelligence continues advancing at a rapid pace, North Carolina leaders say the new roadmap provides a framework for balancing innovation with accountability. By investing in education, workforce development, consumer protections, and responsible government adoption, the state hopes to ensure AI benefits residents, businesses, and communities while minimizing potential risks.
The roadmap represents North Carolina's first comprehensive statewide strategy for artificial intelligence and reflects a growing recognition that AI will play a central role in the state's economic growth, public services, and future competitiveness.