South Carolina is preparing to launch an AI Center of Excellence

South Carolina plans to launch an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence in January 2025 as part of its strategic approach to implementing AI across state government agencies, led by newly appointed AI Director Rich Heimann.

Leadership and vision: South Carolina’s pragmatic approach to AI adoption focuses on balancing innovation with responsible governance under the guidance of its first-ever director of artificial intelligence.

• Heimann, appointed in October, brings extensive private sector experience including roles as chief data scientist at Data Tactics and chief AI officer positions at Cybraics Inc. and SilverSky
• The state’s initiative has strong backing from both the governor’s office and legislature
• Approximately 60,000 government workers will be affected by the state’s AI implementation strategy

Center of Excellence structure: The new AI Center of Excellence (COE) will serve as the central hub for evaluating use cases and managing risk across state agencies.

• The COE team includes key leadership positions: the AI director, chief privacy officer, chief information security officer, and a governance risk management expert
• The center will facilitate inter-agency communication and provide recommendations for risk mitigation
• South Carolina joins other states like Utah, Arkansas, Texas, and Rhode Island that have established similar AI centers

Implementation strategy: Rather than rushing into AI adoption, South Carolina is taking a measured approach focused on practical applications and risk management.

• Heimann emphasizes the importance of discussing specific use cases to better understand potential risks and impacts
• AI-powered chatbots are being considered as an initial implementation to improve citizen service delivery across agencies
• The state is positioning itself for long-term success by carefully evaluating use cases before implementation

Risk management approach: Leadership challenges, rather than technical issues, often cause AI adoption failures, according to Heimann.

• The state is actively working to protect citizens through robust governance measures
• Practical discussions about real-world implications help stakeholders better understand and address potential risks
• South Carolina aims to avoid the pitfalls of both overstating AI risks and exaggerating its benefits

Looking ahead: South Carolina’s methodical approach to AI implementation suggests a focus on sustainable, long-term integration rather than rapid adoption, though specific future use cases remain under wraps. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other states considering similar AI governance structures.