In this role, Phan is charged with advancing digital government through responsible AI adoption at scale. In a statement Friday, Oklahoma noted that Phan will advise its internal agencies on using AI for streamlining operations and reducing manual work, thereby making government more efficient. The job also includes promoting ethical AI use and best practices.
“At a time when AI and emerging technologies carry both extraordinary promise and perils, I’m honored to step into this role and help lead the next stage of the state’s digital and technology transformation,” Phan said in the release.
This appointment comes after a recommendation from the Governor’s Task Force on Emerging Technologies called for bringing in a state AI officer to help set strategy, vision and guardrails for adoption. The task force presented its AI findings almost two years ago. Since then, the state has deployed AI tools in areas such as procurement oversight and call center operations.
Oklahoma is among several states that have named AI executives in recent years. This year, North Carolina named I-Sah Hsieh as deputy secretary of AI and policy, and Oregon named Nik Blosser as its chief privacy officer and artificial intelligence strategist. Georgia, Maryland and Vermont have had AI officers for a bit longer, with Vermont’s Josiah Raiche moving from the state director of AI into the chief data and AI officer role in March 2024.
Phan joined Oklahoma’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services in March as its chief technology officer. He was tasked with strategy enablement, cost optimization and customer experience transformation. His resume includes more than 15 years in the private sector as an executive and technologist in retail, health and technology firms.
State CIO Dan Cronin selected Phan for the new position, citing “visionary thinking” and a record of producing practical outcomes.
“Tai brings a rare combination of public- and private-sector experience, having led enterprise-scale technology modernization and responsible AI adoption for both Fortune 500 companies and state government,” Cronin said in the release.
According to the state, Phan was a key contributor to Oklahoma’s strategic IT plan, published in September. It outlines technology strategy, operations and technology delivery to enable more efficient government services in more than 125 agencies, boards and commissions.
In the statement, Phan said the new job is “a remarkable opportunity to rethink how government operates by bringing forward innovation with trust by design to strengthen our mission, improve services and deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the people of Oklahoma.”
