Gov. Stein talks AI in state agencies, disaster recovery in NC Strong update

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Artificial intelligence, state jobs, public education, and biotech: three areas Governor Josh Stein has been focusing on since he took office as Governor and on Tuesday he gave an update on where the state is at in all three areas.

The governor signed an executive order surrounding AI in the state and creating an oversight group that will work to implement AI in state agencies and help every day North Carolinians.

“If we do this right, we can use AI to help unlock economic growth, attract innovation, improve government efficiency, and prepare our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow,” Governor Josh Stein said.

The governor is also focusing on public education, working alongside State Superintendent Mo Green on a strategic plan to make North Carolina the leader in public education nationwide by 2030.

“North Carolinians don’t just support public education, they demand excellence from it,” Superintendent Green said.

Arguably front of mind for the governor since he took office is disaster preparedness.

“Now more than ever we as a state must invest in resilience, now more than ever we must build with an eye toward improving, not just restoring,” Governor Stein said.

One year after Hurricane Helene caused over $60B in damages in western North Carolina, the Governor wants the state to be more prepared for future storms. But he said we can’t do it alone and he’s still  asking the federal government for billions of dollars in aid for Helene recovery.

“What we’re asking for is not unreasonable, what we want is for the federal government to care as much about western North Carolina as they cared about Louisiana, as they cared about Puerto Rico, as they cared about New Jersey, states that have had massive storms and where the federal government provided 50, 60, 70% of the damages as those places recovered… so far we’re at about 8%,” Governor Stein said.

He’s also working on biotech initiatives, saying he wants the state to continue investing there as it brings tens of thousands of jobs to North Carolina.