One year after Governor Josh Shapiro signed a groundbreaking executive order guiding Pennsylvania’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI), the state is setting a national benchmark in ethical, responsible AI use. On October 14, at Pittsburgh’s first AI Horizons Summit, Shapiro highlighted the strides Pennsylvania has made in generative AI, a form of artificial intelligence that creates new content, to enhance public service delivery and empower state employees.
The summit, held at Pittsburgh’s Bakery Square, brought together tech leaders to discuss AI’s evolving role across sectors. During his address, Shapiro celebrated the launch of a pioneering AI Tech Community in partnership with NVIDIA, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh. This new initiative aims to transform Pittsburgh into a hub of AI research and innovation, focusing on fields like robotics and intelligent systems. Shapiro was joined by prominent figures, including Carnegie Mellon University President Dr. Farnam Jahanian and University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel, to commemorate the launch.
Shapiro emphasized that Pennsylvania’s proactive stance on AI is geared toward harnessing its benefits while mitigating risks. His 2023 executive order, which created a Generative AI Governing Board, outlines ten core values, including transparency, adaptability, and safety, to guide the ethical deployment of AI across state agencies.
Since the executive order was signed, Pennsylvania has introduced generative AI training for state employees, making it a part of mandatory security protocols. This training, implemented by the Office of Administration (OA), offers an overview of generative AI’s applications and potential risks. The initiative reflects Pennsylvania’s commitment to educating its workforce in navigating this advanced technology responsibly.
The state’s partnership with Carnegie Mellon’s Block Center for Technology and Society has further bolstered its efforts, providing access to leading AI experts and resources. The Block Center has been instrumental in advising Pennsylvania’s Generative AI Governing Board and identifying pilot projects to enhance employee productivity through AI.
A key component of Pennsylvania’s AI strategy is a pilot program with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, launched in January. Initially involving 54 state employees, this first-in-the-nation initiative has since expanded to 125 participants. Commonwealth employees have leveraged ChatGPT to streamline tasks such as brainstorming, code generation, and content drafting, which has saved them an average of 105 minutes per day. Feedback from participants is collected biweekly, ensuring that the program adapts to user needs and promotes a collaborative human-technology approach.
The NVIDIA AI Tech Community, announced at the summit, is central to Pennsylvania’s ambitions. Two research hubs will anchor the community: Carnegie Mellon will lead research in robotics and autonomy, while the University of Pittsburgh will focus on intelligent systems. NVIDIA’s involvement also extends to engaging Pittsburgh-based AI startups through its Inception program, fostering an environment that nurtures emerging AI ventures.
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