Governments are increasingly creating roles to manage AI, which includes leading on strategy and governance.
Boyce brings an array of technology and AI expertise to the position, having most recently led the AI portfolio program for the U.S. Digital Response. There, he helped launch partnerships across state and local government to improve language and benefits access, and permit processing speed.
Before that, he served as the director of the AI Corps at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading a civilian AI team. Earlier still, he worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he wrote policy on the government’s use of generative AI in the 2023 executive order on AI.
“Michael Boyce is a seasoned, cross-functional technology leader with experience at both the state and federal level who will take us from 1 to 10 in responsible AI adoption,” Maryland CIO Katie Savage said in a statement.
Boyce’s hiring closely follows the launch of the state’s AI Innovation Lab, which is designed to support agencies’ AI adoption with tools, infrastructure and expert consultation. Last year, the state expanded AI integration across operations for Maryland employees. In taking this post, Boyce builds on a goal highlighted in the state’s AI strategy: to support agencies in AI adoption and experimentation.
His predecessor Nishant Shah was named senior adviser for responsible AI in August 2023. Shah’s final day was Jan. 16, according to a LinkedIn post.
Boyce credited the work of Shah and others in creating a foundation for state AI use in a statement, underlining his intent to “build on that momentum” to improve Maryland services and strengthen the workforce — “while protecting Marylanders’ rights and privacy.”
“I’m excited to build on that momentum to bring meaningful improvements to Maryland’s services and empower its state workforce,” he said.
Boyce will support the state government in accelerating responsible, outcome-focused AI deployment, working with leaders across sectors to advance the governor’s three primary goals for AI use: economic development, empowering the state workforce, and enhancing government services.
The new adviser will be charged with creating public-private partnerships, leading on product strategy and governing documents, and coordinating the Governor’s AI Subcabinet.
