Faculty Contribute to State AI Task Force, NJIT Magazine, Spring 2025

Distinguished Professors David Bader and Guiling “Grace” Wang, along with Professors Cristian Borcea and Vincent Oria in the Ying Wu College of Computing (YWCC), served on Governor Phil Murphy’s AI Task Force. Comprised of industry leaders, academic experts, consumer advocates and government innovators, the group worked to establish programs, trainings and tools that will advance New Jersey’s leadership in AI.

Recommendations by the task force were published in “The Report to the Governor on Artificial Intelligence,” which aims to create economic opportunities for residents and businesses, encourage ethical use of AI technologies, promote equitable outcomes, support public and private workforces and improve government services and citizen experience.

The YWCC faculty members each contributed to primary working groups in four areas: security, safety and privacy considerations for AI use cases; workforce training, jobs of the future and training public professionals; AI, equity and literacy; and making New Jersey a hub for AI innovation.

Recommendations included ways to expand opportunities for AI education and literacy, promote a strong workforce and AI talent pipeline, address biases and discrimination, foster a collaborative AI innovation ecosystem and economy across the state, and bolster the state’s use of GenAI to support policy outcomes and improve the resident experience.

In addition to his work with the state, Bader serves on other boards, including on the Computing Research Association. In addition, he is a scientific advisory board member for the Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation; an advisory board member for ARLIS at the University of Maryland and steering committee chair for the Seed Fund at the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub.

Wang, the director of NJIT’s Center for Artificial Research, serves as a technology expert for a state committee aimed at helping judges and lawyers understand AI’s role in the legal system. The New Jersey State Court Artificial Intelligence Committee is examining potential policies and practices in numerous areas, and Wang is the sole academic appointed to the committee of 31 members. Wang also has been named to serve as an AI subject matter expert for the Department of Homeland Security’s Science Advice and Guidance for Emergencies Program, where she may be called upon by the DHS Chief Scientist to provide counsel during national emergencies.

https://magazine.njit.edu/