Blab AI
Maryland Names Michael Boyce as Senior AI Adviser to Drive Responsible Adoption
Maryland has appointed Michael Boyce as its new senior adviser for responsible artificial intelligence. The appointment, announced on 10 June 2026, follows the state’s launch of an AI Innovation Lab and a broader AI strategy that aims to use technology to boost economic development, empower the workforce and improve government services. Boyce will lead the state’s effort to accelerate responsible, outcome‑focused AI deployment and coordinate the Governor’s AI Subcabinet.
Boyce brings a decade of federal AI experience to the role. Most recently, he led the AI portfolio program for U.S. Digital Response, where he helped launch more than a dozen projects across 40 state and local government partnerships. Those projects focused on improving language access, making benefits more accessible and speeding permit processing. Prior to that, Boyce served as director of the AI Corps at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he managed a civilian AI team. Earlier still, he worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget, drafting policy on the federal use of generative AI in the 2023 executive order.
Maryland’s chief information officer, Katie Savage, said in a statement that 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.” Boyce echoed Savage’s sentiment, saying he was “excited to build on that momentum to bring meaningful improvements to Maryland’s services and empower its state workforce.” He added that his work would also protect Marylanders’ rights and privacy.
The state’s AI strategy, adopted in 2025, calls for a Responsible AI Policy that governs the use of AI systems by state agencies. The AI Innovation Lab, launched in early 2025, supports agencies with tools, infrastructure and expert consultation to experiment with and scale AI responsibly. Last year, Maryland expanded AI integration across operations for state employees, a move that set the stage for Boyce’s appointment.
Boyce’s responsibilities include creating public‑private partnerships, leading on product strategy and governing documents, and coordinating the Governor’s AI Subcabinet. The Subcabinet, chaired by Katie Olson Savage, Secretary of Information Technology, brings together top officials from state departments. It focuses on AI knowledge, skills and talent, modernizing digital infrastructure, and identifying opportunities for AI to attract or expand businesses.
The appointment follows the departure of Boyce’s predecessor, Nishant Shah, who was named senior adviser for responsible AI in August 2023 and left the position on 16 January 2026. According to a LinkedIn post, Shah’s work laid a foundation for state AI use that Boyce intends to build upon.
In his new role, Boyce will work with leaders across sectors to advance the Governor’s three primary AI goals: economic development, workforce empowerment and enhanced government services. He will also oversee the development of AI governance documents and ensure that state agencies adopt AI responsibly and transparently.
The state’s focus on responsible AI comes amid growing scrutiny of AI systems nationwide. Maryland’s approach, which combines a dedicated innovation lab, a formal strategy and a senior adviser, reflects a broader trend among states to institutionalize AI governance and accelerate adoption while safeguarding privacy and civil rights.
As Maryland moves forward, the impact of Boyce’s leadership will be measured by the speed and scale of AI deployments in state agencies, the quality of public‑private partnerships formed, and the robustness of the state’s AI governance framework. The state’s next steps will likely include further investment in AI infrastructure, expanded training programs for state employees and continued engagement with industry partners to ensure that AI tools meet the needs of Maryland residents.
The appointment signals Maryland’s commitment to responsible AI deployment and positions the state to serve as a model for other jurisdictions seeking to balance innovation with oversight.
Boyce brings a decade of federal AI experience to the role. Most recently, he led the AI portfolio program for U.S. Digital Response, where he helped launch more than a dozen projects across 40 state and local government partnerships. Those projects focused on improving language access, making benefits more accessible and speeding permit processing. Prior to that, Boyce served as director of the AI Corps at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he managed a civilian AI team. Earlier still, he worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget, drafting policy on the federal use of generative AI in the 2023 executive order.
Maryland’s chief information officer, Katie Savage, said in a statement that 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.” Boyce echoed Savage’s sentiment, saying he was “excited to build on that momentum to bring meaningful improvements to Maryland’s services and empower its state workforce.” He added that his work would also protect Marylanders’ rights and privacy.
The state’s AI strategy, adopted in 2025, calls for a Responsible AI Policy that governs the use of AI systems by state agencies. The AI Innovation Lab, launched in early 2025, supports agencies with tools, infrastructure and expert consultation to experiment with and scale AI responsibly. Last year, Maryland expanded AI integration across operations for state employees, a move that set the stage for Boyce’s appointment.
Boyce’s responsibilities include creating public‑private partnerships, leading on product strategy and governing documents, and coordinating the Governor’s AI Subcabinet. The Subcabinet, chaired by Katie Olson Savage, Secretary of Information Technology, brings together top officials from state departments. It focuses on AI knowledge, skills and talent, modernizing digital infrastructure, and identifying opportunities for AI to attract or expand businesses.
The appointment follows the departure of Boyce’s predecessor, Nishant Shah, who was named senior adviser for responsible AI in August 2023 and left the position on 16 January 2026. According to a LinkedIn post, Shah’s work laid a foundation for state AI use that Boyce intends to build upon.
In his new role, Boyce will work with leaders across sectors to advance the Governor’s three primary AI goals: economic development, workforce empowerment and enhanced government services. He will also oversee the development of AI governance documents and ensure that state agencies adopt AI responsibly and transparently.
The state’s focus on responsible AI comes amid growing scrutiny of AI systems nationwide. Maryland’s approach, which combines a dedicated innovation lab, a formal strategy and a senior adviser, reflects a broader trend among states to institutionalize AI governance and accelerate adoption while safeguarding privacy and civil rights.
As Maryland moves forward, the impact of Boyce’s leadership will be measured by the speed and scale of AI deployments in state agencies, the quality of public‑private partnerships formed, and the robustness of the state’s AI governance framework. The state’s next steps will likely include further investment in AI infrastructure, expanded training programs for state employees and continued engagement with industry partners to ensure that AI tools meet the needs of Maryland residents.
The appointment signals Maryland’s commitment to responsible AI deployment and positions the state to serve as a model for other jurisdictions seeking to balance innovation with oversight.
