Launched in summer of 2024, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force brings together state and local elected officials along with experts from non-profits and industry to explore AI's potential to make government work better. The group’s efforts will recognize the importance of President Biden’s recent executive order outlining eight guiding principles and priorities for AI use while underscoring the significant role and opportunities for state and local governments to both complement that effort and, crucially, to pass legislation and implement AI policies in ways that increase efficiency and responsiveness of government agencies and support responsible economic growth.
Building on the work that went into the Forum’s previous report on AI and voting, the AI Task Force will provide assistance, information, and guidance for state and local elected officials, helping them develop actionable recommendations that leverage AI for the public good while ensuring responsible development and deployment. In addition, the Task Force is committed to helping educate state and local policymakers on the latest advances and trends in artificial intelligence.
In future work, the task force will primarily focus on making government work better by identifying ways AI can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services, particularly at the state and local level. Other topics include ethical considerations and election integrity.
Key Research and Publications
In response to a February 2025 request for public comment from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan, NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force co-chairs Dorcey Applyrs, Alex Bores, and Matt Mahan submitted the following letter.
The meteoric rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the past few years presents both opportunities and obligations for state and local policymakers.
NewDEAL Forum's sister organization, NewDEAL Leaders, convened a policy roundtable during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, bringing together experts and elected officials to discuss the impacts of the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence, or generative AI.
In response to the growing need to regulate this emerging tech, the NewDEAL Forum has published a new document outlining best practices for mitigating the negative impacts of AI in the near term, as well as principles for AI-focused legislation to protect our democracy.
Group Co-Chairs
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Dorcey Applyrs
Chief City Auditor, Albany, NY
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Alex Bores
Assemblymember, New York
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Matt Mahan
Mayor, San Jose, CA
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NewDEAL Forum hosted its annual Ideas Summit in Phoenix, Arizona in mid-April. The gathering brought state and local policymakers together with thought leaders from the public and private sectors to share ideas, hear about models from Phoenix, and engage in conversations about key issues facing communities across the country.
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