THE State of Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council is to meet in open forum Aug. 11, while preparing delivery an annual report later this year, with a fully vetted action plan due not later than Dec. 31, 2028.

Council Co-Chairs Jim Bryson (Commissioner of Finance & Administration) and Kristin Darby (State CIO with Administration) are to preside over next week's meeting in the Tennessee Tower building, in Nashville.

The Council first met in August 2024. VNC initiated coverage that October.

Each day seems to bring fresh news and opinion regarding active and potential local, national and global threats, economic tumult and innovation boons associated with AI during now-unfolding.

For example:

In March this year, Tennessee's AI Advisory Council reported its security assessment with respect to DeepSeek AI.

Earlier this week, The New York Times said it drew on documents obtained by Vanderbilt University's Institute of National Security in reporting evidence that the People's Republic of China has increased capabilities for information warfare and is, among other things, collecting data on members of the U.S. Congress and "other influential Americans."

A day earlier, The New York Times published a guest essay by Vanderbilt University's Brett Goldstein and Brett Benson urged U.S. action in response to increased evidence of "technologically advanced, state-aligned influence campaigns" that are believed to lead to China-based GoLaxy and possible others.

Both Goldstein and Benson work in the VU Institute of National Security, and Goldstein is a special advisor on national security and strategic initiatives to Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier.

In broader economic context, Brookings Institution researchers recently reported that Tennessee and other states could leverage interregional 'AI compacts' to help drive Tennessee economy and prosperity.

Responding to VNC query, a member of Commissioner Bryson's staff recently advised that members of the AI Advisory Council are digesting so many studies and other input, it is difficult for anyone outside their ranks to ascertain whether or not a given report may have been considered.

The AI Advisory Council's most recent comprehensive report on progress of its overall work was produced in May 2025. this story will be updated when the next status report is released.

Several persons addressing the Council next week are associated with the AI Tennessee Initiative (AITI), which is based as the University of Tennessee Knoxville. AITI exists within that university's Office of Research, Innovation & Economic Development (ORIED).

AITI is charged by UT-K with supporting 'the strategic planning, development, and execution of UT’s AI Tennessee Initiative, focusing on transdisciplinary research, education, infrastructure, and partnership opportunities across the state and region," according to the program's website.

Among Monday's scheduled presenters is AITI Director Prof. Vasileios Maroulas PhD, who is AITI Director and an associate vice chancellor.

Appearing with Maroulas are UT-K Director of AI Research Development Anne Ho PhD and Caleb Knight, director of UT-K's "AI TechX" program.

Knight's role is designed to "enhance industry engagement and workforce development efforts, while collaborating with academic units, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to align AI TechX initiatives with AI Tennessee's broader mission in research, education, and economic development. Caleb leads the development, execution, and management of initiatives that drive industry participation in AI TechX activities, fostering innovation and strategic partnerships," according to his LinkedIn.

Other scheduled presenters include:

• Carter Lawrence, Commissioner at Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
• Cody York, Chief Information Officer, Rutherford County
• Ryan Allen, Assist. Commissioner, Labor & Workforce Development
• Lang Wiseman, General Counsel, First Horizon Bank
• Richard Littlehale, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, (from the Council's Action Plan subcommittee
• Roger Waynick, Government Administration, director AI strategy & innovation

The full Council agenda for next week's meeting is here (current as of today, Aug. 8). Update: The event is scheduled to be livestreamed here.

The AI Advisory Council has thus far scheduled two additional meetings this year -- Nov. 17 and Dec. 17. It must produce another annual report by Dec. 31 of this year. VNC

. last edited 10 August 2025 1408