MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Governor Kay Ivey has released the final report from the Governor’s Task Force on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), following a comprehensive review of AI’s role in Alabama’s executive branch.
The task force, created in February 2024 through Executive Order 738, focused on assessing current AI usage, ensuring responsible adoption, and making policy recommendations for the future. The report is part of Alabama’s broader effort to be a national leader in the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence.
Governor Ivey’s Statement on AI and Cybersecurity
“Alabama is experiencing unprecedented growth—whether through business expansion, infrastructure advancements, or cutting-edge research,” said Governor Ivey. “As we continue to lead in innovation, it’s essential to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence and safeguard our citizens’ information.”
In a memo sent to state agency heads on Wednesday, Governor Ivey announced a ban on the use of DeepSeek, Manus, and other similar harmful technologies on state devices and the state network. This action follows the release of the GenAI Task Force’s final report and is a critical move to protect Alabama from cybersecurity threats posed by foreign actors, particularly Chinese infiltration activities.
“When it comes to the threat posed by the Chinese government, Alabama takes no chances,” Governor Ivey remarked. “Our citizens’ information must be protected in the strongest possible ways. This ban is just one part of our commitment to safeguarding Alabama’s IT infrastructure and ensuring that bad foreign actors have no sanctuary in our state.”
Task Force Leadership and Structure
The GenAI Task Force, chaired by Office of Information Technology (OIT) Secretary Daniel Urquhart, included members of the Governor’s Cabinet, state legislators, and higher education representatives. To ensure a thorough review, four specialized working groups focused on:
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Policies and Governance
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Data Management and Ownership
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Responsible and Ethical AI Use
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Workforce Education and Training
Over the course of 2024, the task force held four official meetings and 20 working group sessions to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The final report, submitted to the Governor’s Office on November 30, 2024, includes a detailed analysis of AI’s implications for state government, addressing:
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Generative AI Overview: The unique aspects of generative AI.
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Risk Assessment: Identifying and managing risks associated with AI.
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Data Ownership & Readiness: Guidelines for classifying and managing data.
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Employee Training: Ensuring government employees can use AI safely and productively.
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AI Procurement & Development: Best practices for acquiring and deploying AI technologies.
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Statewide AI Inventory: A review of AI usage across the executive branch.
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Strategic Recommendations: Policy and governance guidelines for responsible AI integration.
Remarks from Task Force Chair
“I want to express my gratitude to Governor Ivey for the opportunity to lead this initiative,” said Secretary Urquhart. “The collaborative efforts of our task force have provided valuable insights, and we are confident that this report will guide Alabama in responsibly and effectively implementing AI technology in the executive branch.”
Next Steps
Governor Ivey’s cybersecurity actions, in conjunction with the release of the GenAI Task Force’s report, underscore Alabama’s commitment to securing sensitive state data and maintaining robust protections against foreign threats.
The full GenAI Final Report and the memo to state agency heads are available for review here.
