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ORNL's Shaun Gleason Joins Tennessee's AI Advisory Council to Guide Responsible AI Adoption

ORNL's Shaun Gleason joins Tennessee's AI Advisory Council, linking policy with lab know-how. New ORNL supercomputers boost AI research and public services.

2 min read
Science and research

ORNL's Shaun Gleason appointed to Tennessee's AI Advisory Council

Shaun Gleason, director of the Partnerships Office at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been named to Tennessee's Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. Appointed by the governor, the council serves as a collaborative forum to inform policy and accelerate the state's effective use of AI across agencies and industries.

ORNL leadership noted that Gleason's service strengthens the bridge between state government and research institutions. With decades spent moving laboratory innovations into the private sector, he brings a practical lens on how AI can be deployed responsibly and at scale.

Context: ORNL's AI momentum

In October, DOE announced two new supercomputers-Discovery and Lux-to be built at ORNL. These systems will support the Genesis Mission, a national effort to apply AI at exascale for scientific computing, national security, and energy innovation.

As a leading partner in the Genesis Mission, ORNL is positioned to help U.S. researchers push AI-driven science and engineering forward. For background on DOE's Office of Science, visit energy.gov/science.

Why this matters for scientists and R&D leaders

  • Policy meets application: A direct channel for translating AI research into state programs in transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture.
  • Compute at scale: Discovery and Lux expand opportunities for multi-institution collaborations and proposals that rely on large-model training and AI-enhanced simulation.
  • Data stewardship: Expect guidance on data governance, privacy, model validation, and secure deployment across public-sector workloads.
  • Workforce pipeline: Closer coordination with universities and labs to develop AI skills, internships, and fellowship pathways tied to real projects (see AI Learning Path for Process Development Scientists).
  • Industry partnerships: Clearer routes for piloting AI solutions with Tennessee companies and for transitioning lab innovations to the market (see AI Learning Path for Supplier Relationship Managers).

About Shaun Gleason

  • Joined ORNL in 1989; founded the Cyber and Applied Data Analytics Division in 2018.
  • Previously led the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division (2013-2018) and Institutional Planning (2011-2013); served as interim associate lab director for the Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (June-December 2023).
  • Took an entrepreneurial leave in 1998 to co-found ImTek, Inc., a preclinical medical imaging company that transitioned ORNL-developed technology to market and later merged with Siemens.
  • Returned to ORNL in 2008 as a distinguished researcher and led the Image Science and Machine Vision group.
  • Holds undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees from the University of Tennessee; author/co-author of 120 publications and holder of 10 patents in electrical engineering, computer vision, and machine learning.

"AI is set to redefine how Tennessee functions - streamlining state operations, enhancing public services, accelerating research and development, and driving economic growth," Gleason said. "By tapping into AI's potential in field like scientific discovery, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and agriculture, we're poised to build the workforce of the future, create high-tech jobs, attract innovative businesses, and build a more dynamic economy. I am committed to applying my expertise to guide a thoughtful, responsible, and impactful integration of AI that benefits every Tennessean."

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE's Office of Science, the nation's largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences. The office funds research programs, user facilities, and initiatives that address high-priority scientific challenges.

What to watch next

  • Council recommendations on AI procurement, evaluation standards, and risk management for state systems.
  • Opportunities for academia-industry-government pilot projects that leverage ORNL capabilities and statewide needs.
  • Calls for proposals and collaboration mechanisms tied to Discovery, Lux, and Genesis Mission-aligned research.

If you're building AI skills for research roles, explore focused options by role at AI Research Courses.

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