How States Are Developing Innovation Hubs

NJ AI Task Force Issues Report There's been some interesting #AI work coming out of NJ. NJ has been training employees, launching #GenAI platforms, creating an AI Hub with Princeton, providing AI tax credits, and providing AI education grants. This report captures latest efforts from the Governor's AI Task Force. I really love the NJ use cases that are covered in the report. Here are a few: ▪️NJ AI Assistant: state-wide chatbot for internal use ▪️Brief Bank: AI-powered tool to help public defenders draft legal briefs (love this idea!) ▪️AskNJEMS: internal users can find information on resident applications, permit decisions, and workflow tracking ▪️GenAI-powered automated assistants for Notaries Public and Business certificates ▪️Motor Vehicle Commission - GenAI tools to reduce call center hold times (everyone will love this) ▪️GenAI analyzing social media data to measure public sentiment toward government policies and programs The report recommends NJ should expand GenAI adoption. I agree that the longer NJ waits, or delays adoption, the longer constituents will wait for improved outcomes. There's some helpful information on how states should approach GenAI pilots and rollouts. Here is the NJ roadmap that other public sectors agencies can follow: 1. Secure access to GenAI capabilities 2. Adopt a "test and learn" approach 3. Utilize criteria for selecting and scaling pilots 4. Develop a statewide strategy for GenAI rollout 5. Ensure responsible, ethical use of GenAI 6. Work to remove barriers to government adoption and deployment of GenAI Check out the full report for more great insights ▪️GenAI's workforce impact ▪️AI, Equity, and Literacy ▪️Making New Jersey a hub for AI innovation NJ AI Task Force Report: https://lnkd.in/ehT64JEf Thanks to Julia Edinger for her article https://lnkd.in/e4ARS2CZ

How Pennsylvania can Lead the Physical AI Revolution The race among states to lead the Physical AI revolution is reaching a fever pitch. AI’s growth curve isn’t just about experimental chatbots or consumer novelties; it’s about intelligent systems that move, sense, adapt and act in the real world. In manufacturing, energy, logistics and defense, Physical AI is already reshaping processes, boosting productivity and creating new markets. In our latest piece, Joanna Doven and I lay out for RealClear Media Group the distinctive assets which Pennsylvania brings to the competition including energy abundance and industrial land, engineering talent and applied R&D and a booming robotics cluster in Pittsburgh (with firms like Gecko Robotics and Hellbender Inc.). Pennsylvania also has something else: bipartisan political leadership exhibited by U.S. Senator David McCormick (who spearheaded the July 15th Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University) and Governor Josh Shapiro (who has multiple technology and innovation initiatives underway). Joanna and I call for a Pennsylvania Phyisocsl AI Playbook that aligns leadership, policy and investment across infrastructure, innovation hub, workforce, capital and execution. Every American industry has had a birthplace. The automobile had Detroit. Software had Silicon Valley. Physical AI can have Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania—if the state moves fast enough and leverages its authentic advantages. https://lnkd.in/efmUHRCU

🚨 Had a great conversation with MIT Technology Review about how Michigan is built to build! 🛠️ (link in the comments) We covered the bold bets Michigan is making to create a statewide innovation ecosystem, and what it really takes to break down the barriers between startups, academia, big companies, and government. 💡 One key idea: The role of state government in innovation needs to evolve. Government should have a seat at the table as a strategic, collaborative partner. (Key word: partner!) Not passively funding startups or picking winners. Instead, being an active ecosystem builder, driving unified, smart strategy, facilitating meaningful connections, and enabling collaboration, not controlling it. ⚙️ Some insights I think are especially worth sharing: 🤝 Trust is infrastructure. Economic development thrives when everyone - entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers - feels they're pulling in the same direction. Authentic collaboration is essential. 🧠 Place-based strategies matter. Real innovation happens in places that know exactly what they’re good at. For Michigan, that’s about merging our historic expertise in manufacturing ("atoms") with cutting-edge software, AI, and digital technologies ("bits"). Our universities, startups, and talent pools are world-class at software and AI. We want to enable the infusion of these strengths directly into our manufacturing base. 🏭 History matters too. Michigan was home to the original “Freedom’s Forge” during WWII, when we reshaped global manufacturing. We're tapping back into that legacy, reimagining it to lead America's next era of innovation. 🧬 Tailored solutions beat copying Silicon Valley every time. I hear a lot of "We want to be the Silicon Valley of XYZ." But our goal isn’t to copy-paste. That’s herd mentality, not strategy. We're building what's right for Michigan, rooted in our unique strengths. The short-term metrics look fantastic, but our ultimate goal is long-term economic transformation. We’re planting seeds today that will bear fruit measured in decades, not quarterly reports. If you’re working on hard tech, manufacturing, mobility, AI, climate, or related fields…let’s talk! Michigan is ready to build what's next. 🚀 For the builders out there, what'd I miss? How can states be better partners? Who does it REALLY great right now and why? Who sucks at it and why? Feel free to be blunt! #innovation #Michigan #startups #SiliconValley