Governor Mills’ Task Force charts 33 recommendations to balance innovation, ethics, and workforce readiness.
Maine has released its first comprehensive strategy on AI, marking one of the nation’s most detailed state-level efforts to align innovation with public accountability. The Artificial Intelligence Task Force, established by Governor Janet Mills in December 2024, issued its final report on October 31, 2025—offering 33 recommendations designed to prepare the state’s economy, workforce, and institutions for a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Governor Mills praised the group’s collaborative approach, calling the report “a responsible AI direction for Maine to bolster innovation and our economy, while offering guidance on the safe and productive use of AI.”
Co-chaired by Mary Dickinson, Chief Scientific Officer at The Jackson Laboratory, and David Daigler, President of the Maine Community College System, the 21-member Task Force included policymakers, educators, business leaders, and nonprofit representatives. Together with an 11-member Technical Advisory Committee, they examined both AI’s economic potential and its emerging risks—from data privacy and cybersecurity to the energy demands of data centers.
Among the report’s central themes is the need to build AI literacy across all sectors. Recommendations include:
The Task Force also urged continued investment in broadband and energy infrastructure to accommodate digital growth, echoing concerns nationwide about AI’s mounting power consumption.
“AI is transforming how work gets done, but Maine's greatest strength will always be its people,” said Laura Fortman, Maine Labor Commissioner. “These recommendations help ensure our workers have the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Education leaders emphasized the balance between innovation and care. Pender Makin, Maine Education Commissioner, noted that the report “keeps students’ curiosity, creativity, and well-being at the center of every decision.” The Task Force recommended embedding AI literacy into curricula for all students and developing training for educators and school administrators.
In healthcare, Maine aims to become a national hub for AI-driven rural health innovation, advancing telemedicine, diagnostics, and administrative efficiencies while maintaining strong privacy safeguards.
Acknowledging the technology’s risks, the report calls for near-term action to protect consumers and elections from AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation. It also proposes a statewide AI literacy campaign to help residents identify and safely navigate AI content.
“Innovation must be balanced with protection,” said Jay Brenchick, Auburn’s Director of Economic Development. “As we adopt these tools, we also have a responsibility to safeguard resident data and ensure transparency.”
The Task Force recommends creating an interagency AI leadership council to coordinate governance, transparency, and ethical standards across state agencies and municipalities.
Maine’s strategy positions it among a small group of states treating AI as both an economic opportunity and a public-policy imperative. Its roadmap encourages continued collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector—building capacity for responsible AI while avoiding the reactive mistakes of earlier technology waves.
The full report, including appendices and technical recommendations, is available at maine.gov/future/artificial-intelligence-task-force.
