OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — FOX 25 is learning more about the future of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Oklahoma and how it will be incorporated into state agencies. We sat down with Tai Huang, the province’s new Chief Artificial Intelligence and Technology Officer, for his first television interview in his new role.
Hwang has a long history of working in the technology field. Prior to his appointment to this new role, he served as Chief Technology Officer for OMES.
Oklahoma now joins only a handful of other states to formally appoint someone to the role.
“I think strategically what this fits into the Oklahoma story arc is that this really brings the vision of AI to reality,” Huang said.
Huang is now at the helm of how Oklahoma State leverages AI.
In 2023, the Governor’s Task Force on Emerging Technologies developed recommendations and an artificial intelligence strategy.
FOX 25 asked Hwang if that strategy still serves as the framework guiding how the nation plans to use AI.
“I think that framework has evolved,” Huang told FOX 25. “I think it was a vision that we had around the subject that projected where we were at the time. Let’s think about it in terms of the art of the possible. As we translate those into our business plan, we’re now looking at what the art of reality is.”
Governor Kevin Stitt said in a statement in early 2024 that Oklahoma has the potential to become the AI capital of the nation. He added, “…in Oklahoma, 21% of the workforce is employed by federal, state, and local governments, but the ideal ratio would be closer to 13%. Artificial intelligence creates the potential for more efficient employment and government services.”
FOX 25 asked if the state is still considering leveraging AI to supplement private sector jobs to reduce state jobs, which is detailed as a possibility in the 2023 strategy.
“I think this is a great question and one that’s being asked across the board. There are currently no plans for troop reductions through AI,” Huang said.
Huang said there are two main focuses when it comes to AI and workforce.
“From a workforce perspective, this is really powering expanded agency capabilities. What this means is how we can use AI to improve the daily lives of our employees, make them more efficient, and get more work done,” he said. “…I think the second part here is responsible adoption and understanding what our limitations are. Data is a big predictor of how successful we are with AI and where we go with AI. So I think we need to make sure we build that foundation so we can really scale out for the future.”
But AI can be integrated, and there’s always the idea that “humans will be involved,” Huang said.
“We’re dealing with public safety, we’re dealing with the critical systems that run the government. AI is an assistant and a tool, but it’s the humans who make the decisions, and at the end of the day it’s actually the humans, not the AI, that serve people,” Huang said.
With the next Congress just around the corner, FOX 25 asked Hwang if he is working with lawmakers on AI legislation. He said the door is always open to discussing policy and he looks forward to building relationships with agency leaders and policymakers.
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