Summary:
- Governor Stein’s Executive Order 24 establishes North Carolina as a national leader in responsible AI.
- The NC AI Accelerator and AI Leadership Council will guide implementation, monitor progress, and publish public reports to ensure accountability and measurable results.
- Efficiency and cost savings are central goals.
- Economic growth and workforce development, including expanded training through community colleges.
- Equity and inclusion remain priorities, ensuring rural and low-income communities benefit from AI-driven progress through broadband expansion and digital skills programs.
On September 2, 2025, Governor Josh Stein signed Executive Order No. 24, titled “Advancing Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence That Benefits All North Carolinians.” The order establishes North Carolina as a national leader in AI adoption and governance, directing state agencies to integrate AI into operations, establish oversight structures, and implement responsible frameworks. It also creates the North Carolina AI Accelerator within the Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and forms an AI Leadership Council to guide statewide strategy and monitor progress.
Improving Efficiency and Reducing Costs
The initiative is designed to deliver measurable benefits to taxpayers by improving government efficiency. Many state agencies rely on legacy systems and face staffing shortages that hinder performance. According to the NCDIT’s Artificial Intelligence Program, AI tools such as automation, data analysis, and digital assistants are being explored to streamline workflows and support faster, more accurate decision-making. Governor Stein emphasized that responsible AI integration will make state government more effective, efficient, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
If implemented effectively, these improvements could lower administrative costs, reduce redundancy, and speed up service delivery. Streamlined operations would allow the state to allocate resources more strategically toward public priorities like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Fiscal Responsibility and Implementation
While Executive Order 24 outlines broad goals, it does not yet include a specific funding estimate. Establishing the AI Accelerator, staffing oversight teams, and developing ethical frameworks will require coordinated budgeting. State technology officials have noted that AI deployment will proceed in phases to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Other states have taken similar steps toward AI modernization without raising taxes. For example, New Jersey’s Office of Innovation has redirected existing resources to launch its AI governance initiatives. North Carolina could follow a similar approach, emphasizing cost-neutral digital transformation through strategic planning and agency collaboration.
Economic Growth and Workforce Development
Beyond direct government efficiencies, Stein’s AI plan is expected to stimulate economic growth that benefits taxpayers indirectly. North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley has stated that embracing artificial intelligence will help attract private-sector investment, create high-paying jobs, and prepare the workforce for technology-driven industries.
One major example is Amazon’s announcement of a $10 billion AI and cloud infrastructure campus in Richmond County. The project, supported by Stein’s administration, is expected to generate thousands of jobs and reinforce North Carolina’s growing reputation as a technology hub.
Workforce training is also a key component of the initiative. The NCDIT AI Accelerator and North Carolina Community College System are working together to promote AI education and digital-skills development. These programs aim to ensure that residents statewide can participate in emerging AI-related job markets and support the broader AI ecosystem.
Ethical Standards and Public Accountability
Executive Order 24 requires the establishment of AI Oversight Teams within each agency to ensure accountability, transparency, and ethical use of technology. These teams must adhere to the state’s ethical framework, which includes standards for privacy protection, fairness, and algorithmic equity. According to NCDIT, each agency will conduct regular reviews to evaluate AI system performance and impact.
The order also directs the AI Leadership Council to release public reports outlining progress and lessons learned. The first report is expected in June 2026, providing benchmarks for evaluating cost savings, efficiency gains, and social outcomes. Public access to this information will allow citizens and legislators to monitor results and hold agencies accountable for spending and performance.
Digital Equity and Inclusive Access
The Stein administration has acknowledged that AI benefits must extend to all North Carolinians, including those in rural and low-income areas. Efforts to expand broadband access and digital training are underway through the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Program. These initiatives aim to improve internet infrastructure and equip residents with the skills needed to participate in the digital economy.
By connecting rural communities to digital tools and training opportunities, the AI Accelerator seeks to ensure that technological progress does not widen economic gaps. Inclusion remains central to the state’s AI strategy, aligning with Governor Stein’s goal of building a “modern, trustworthy, and ethical AI ecosystem that benefits every community.”
Building a Responsible AI Future
Governor Stein’s AI plan lays a foundation for modernizing government operations and expanding economic opportunity while prioritizing ethical governance and accountability. If suc
