Governor Janet Mills has signed an executive order creating the Maine Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. This initiative aims to position Maine as a forward-thinking state in the development and regulation of AI technologies, balancing innovation with public protection.
The Maine Artificial Intelligence Task Force is tasked with delivering comprehensive recommendations by October 31, 2025, focusing on three main areas:
- Economic and Workforce Preparation: Identifying opportunities and addressing risks associated with AI advancements, including workforce displacement and upskilling.
- Public Protection: Safeguarding consumer data privacy, reducing bias in AI datasets, and enforcing transparency around AI usage.
- Government Applications: Exploring how state and municipal agencies can deploy AI to bridge capacity gaps and enhance service delivery.
“Emerging AI technologies offer the potential to improve lives, drive economic growth, and help solve complex challenges,” Governor Mills stated. “But like all new technologies, AI, if not embraced in a prudent and responsible manner, can cause potentially harmful changes to the lives and livelihoods of Maine people.”
The Task Force will comprise 21 members, including leaders from state and municipal governments, the University of Maine and Maine Community College Systems, labor representatives, and stakeholders from business, healthcare, civil rights, and consumer advocacy organizations.
A Technical Advisory Committee of subject matter experts in technology, law, workforce policy, and energy will provide guidance, ensuring the Task Force’s recommendations are informed by the latest knowledge and trends in AI.
Hannah Pingree, Director of the Governor’s Office on Policy Innovation & the Future, emphasized the initiative’s transformative potential: “Artificial intelligence holds tremendous promise for Maine—from enhancing education and healthcare to improving government services, strengthening climate resilience, and addressing workforce challenges.”
Heather Johnson, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, highlighted the urgency of proactive measures: “Artificial intelligence presents incredible opportunities for Maine businesses to innovate and grow, but we must also take proactive steps to help ensure Maine’s economy is prepared to adapt to the rapid pace of change.”
The Mills Administration has already taken steps to prepare Maine for AI’s impact. The Maine Office of Information Technology has initiated risk analyses for state infrastructure and is developing AI tools to assist government agencies. Maine joins at least 26 other states in forming task forces to address AI’s implications, signaling a nationwide recognition of the technology’s transformative power.
The Task Force is set to convene in January 2025, marking the beginning of a year-long effort to create a roadmap for responsible AI adoption. By January 2026, the Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust—enacted through this initiative—will go into effect.
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