Nathan McNeese of Clemson University is playing a leading role in helping state and local governments across the country integrate artificial intelligence into public services and governance processes.
McNeese, associate vice president for technology & innovation, co-authored a report that lays out strategies for how agencies can use AI responsibly. It was published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The report is aimed at providing time critical guidance to local and state level governments on how best to identify, plan for, implement, and maintain AI systems within their organizations.
“In 2025, almost everyone recognizes the importance of engaging with artificial intelligence,” McNeese said. “The benefits are well understood, but many organizations still struggle to take that first step. Our goal was to offer clear, practical guidance—from identifying where AI can add value, to implementation, and ultimately, long-term maintenance.”
The title of the report is, “Strategies for Integrating AI into State and Local Government Decision-Making.”
McNeese also participated in a National Academies webinar that discussed the report and other AI-related resources for state and local governments.
He highlighted five areas:
* Why to use AI and how to ensure its responsible use
* How to get started responsibly
* How to align design and development with purpose and use
* How to build readiness
* How to manage implementation and maintain trust
The National Academies classified the report as a “rapid expert consultation” and “a special time-critical report.”
McNeese emphasized the importance of taking a human-centered approach to AI adoption.
“AI must work for people, and this requires understanding your organization before implementation,” he said. “AI will fail for your organization if people are not first considered.”
In addition to his other roles at Clemson, McNeese serves as McQueen Quattlebaum Endowed Professor of Human-Centered Computing, the founding director of Clemson University Center for Human-AI Interaction, Collaboration, & Teaming and the founding director of the TRACE Research Group.
Click here to read the report, watch the webinar or view a summary of McNeese’s presentation. Read the National Academies press release here.
