North Carolina's AI Leadership Council released a statewide AI Strategic Roadmap on July 10, 2026, outlining 17 goals to protect residents, prepare the workforce, and modernize government services as artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in daily life and business.
Gov. Josh Stein established the council through Executive Order 24 in 2025 to advise on AI strategy, policy, and training. The roadmap organizes its goals around three priorities: protecting residents from AI-related harms, preparing workers and businesses for an AI-driven economy, and modernizing state government operations. Stakeholders from the private sector, government, education, and labor collaborated on the plan.
A framework for responsible AI
The roadmap calls for trustworthy AI, fraud and scam protections, privacy safeguards, and risk management. It also prioritizes expanded AI literacy so residents can recognize and avoid AI-driven threats. For state agencies, the document outlines a framework for balancing technology innovation with ethical oversight, aiming to use AI in ways that benefit residents, businesses, and public agencies. This approach reflects discussions on AI for Government. The roadmap's release follows the General Assembly's establishment of a bipartisan AI Caucus to focus on AI and emerging technology policies.
Leadership perspectives
"Artificial intelligence is already changing how we work, learn, and serve the people of our state, and North Carolina must lead with urgency and care," said Governor Josh Stein. "This roadmap gives our state a strategy to protect people from harm, prepare our workforce for opportunity, and transform how government serves the public. Together, we can make North Carolina a place where innovation and trust move forward together."
"This is not just a technology plan. It is a plan to build public trust," said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Nate Denny. "People are relying on AI to interact with information, government services, and one another. That means North Carolina has a responsibility to put the right governance, safeguards, training, and transparency in place, so AI is developed responsibly, deployed thoughtfully, and used in ways that improve lives."
"AI will play a major role in the future of work, business, and economic competitiveness," said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. "This roadmap positions North Carolina to help workers build new skills, help businesses responsibly adopt new tools, and help communities prepare for the economy of the future. By bringing together government, education, labor, and the private sector, we can make sure AI strengthens opportunity in every region of our state."
Why this matters for executives and strategy
The roadmap provides a concrete signal that state-level AI governance is moving from concept to implementation. Companies operating in or with North Carolina will need to ensure their AI practices meet the state's emphasis on ethics, transparency, and workforce development. For business leaders, the plan underscores that AI strategy must integrate responsible deployment and skills planning-principles explored in AI for Executives & Strategy. Ignoring these dimensions risks compliance gaps and talent shortages as public-sector expectations rise.
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