UPDATE — SEPTEMBER 2025: Since New Jersey’s AI Task Force Report was delivered to Governor Phil Murphy in July 2024, the state has moved into an implementation phase, gradually rolling out many of the recommendations while maintaining the original framework as its guiding blueprint.
Training has expanded well beyond the 9,000 state employees originally cited. The Civil Service Commission has begun integrating AI literacy into standard professional development across agencies, extending reach to thousands more workers. Meanwhile, the NJ AI Assistant, initially an internal sandbox, has seen tens of thousands of uses in 2025 and is now being piloted in public-facing services at agencies such as the Motor Vehicle Commission, the Division of Taxation, and the Department of Environmental Protection to reduce wait times and speed up responses.
Education and workforce initiatives have gained traction, with the Department of Education awarding new AI Education Grants to expand Career and Technical Education programs. The My Career NJ platform, connected to NJ Career Navigator, has been upgraded with more sophisticated AI-powered job recommendations. Pilot reskilling programs for low-income and displaced workers have added apprenticeships and short courses in partnership with state universities.
On the equity front, the Division on Civil Rights is preparing draft guidance clarifying how state discrimination laws apply to AI, while Rutgers-Newark and NJIT are leading new research partnerships focused on AI ethics and bias. Minority-Serving Institutions are also receiving expanded support to participate in AI research.
Innovation efforts are accelerating. The Princeton–NJ AI Hub has begun hosting industry roundtables, and the New Jersey AI Innovation Challenge launched in mid-2025 to fund startups developing solutions for public health, transportation, and environmental challenges. Updates to the Next New Jersey Program have also broadened AI-related tax credits, particularly for startups building data infrastructure and applied AI services.
Governance is being reinforced through the creation of a standing AI Advisory Committee, which now meets quarterly to align state efforts with federal developments, including NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework and federal executive orders on AI. While lawmakers have discussed new AI legislation, they have so far held back from passing sweeping bills, opting instead to track federal rules and fill targeted gaps in workforce equity and government transparency.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
New Jersey Launches Bold Initiative to Lead in Ethical and Innovative AI Adoption
“Report to the Governor on Artificial Intelligence,” has been unveiled by New Jersey’s AI Task Force. This comprehensive report, initiated under Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order No. 346, outlines an ambitious vision to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies responsibly across the public sector, workforce, and economy.
The report, developed by task force members from government, academia, and industry, focuses on generative AI —a technology that creates new content such as text, images, and videos. Its recommendations aim to position New Jersey as a leader in harnessing AI for public good, while safeguarding equity, privacy, and safety.
The report identifies four key focus areas: security and privacy, workforce development, equity in AI use, and making New Jersey a hub for AI innovation.
- Security, Privacy, and Governance
The Task Force emphasizes the importance of balancing AI’s potential with robust safeguards. Key recommendations include maintaining human oversight in AI deployments, embedding strong privacy protections, and implementing rigorous quality assurance protocols. A phased “test-and-learn” approach is advised to evaluate AI tools before full-scale implementation.
- Workforce Training and Future Jobs
The Task Force outlines a proactive strategy to prepare New Jersey’s workforce for AI-driven transformations. This includes expanding AI literacy across K-12 education, higher education, and workforce training programs. A revamped NJ Career Navigator platform, powered by AI, will offer real-time labor market insights and personalized career advice. The state is also investing in reskilling initiatives for low-income workers and supporting small businesses in adopting generative AI technologies.
- Equity and Digital Literacy
AI can exacerbate existing inequalities, but it also offers opportunities to enhance equity. Recommendations focus on promoting AI literacy in underserved communities, fostering diversity in AI startups, and issuing clear guidance to prevent algorithmic discrimination. Initiatives like engaging minority-serving institutions in AI research aim to ensure that all communities benefit from AI advancements.
- Positioning New Jersey as an AI Innovation Hub
To attract AI-driven businesses and investment, New Jersey plans to strengthen its ecosystem through tax incentives, marketing campaigns, and partnerships with leading institutions like Princeton University. Programs like the New Jersey Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence aim to retain top talent, while the forthcoming AI Innovation Challenge will encourage entrepreneurs to develop AI solutions addressing state policy goals.
New Jersey has already made strides in implementing AI. Over 9,000 state employees have completed training in responsible AI use, and tools like the NJ AI Assistant are enhancing productivity across government agencies. Pilot programs are exploring AI applications in education, legal services, and environmental management, with promising results in reducing call center wait times and improving service delivery.
While the report highlights AI’s transformative potential, it also underscores significant risks, including privacy breaches, bias, and cybersecurity threats. The Task Force calls for ongoing dialogue and adaptive policy making to navigate these challenges, recommending that New Jersey’s policies evolve alongside AI technologies.
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