Illinois’ First Chief AI Officer Is From the Private Sector - govtech.com

Illinois has appointed Kader Sakkaria as its first-ever chief AI officer, plucked from the private sector to 'lead AI governance and strategy' across state government. Because when you think of ethical AI implementation, you think of the private sector — that bastion of transparency and public interest. Sakkaria will now be the single point of contact for all things AI in state agencies, which means he will probably spend most of his time in meetings that could have been emails, while actual AI systems roll out unmonitored.

His private-sector background is conveniently unspecified. Could be from a company that uses AI to screen job applications or determine insurance premiums — both of which have demonstrated such sterling fairness that Illinois clearly wants a piece of the action. The announcement does not detail his previous employer, perhaps because the state realizes that naming names might raise uncomfortable questions about exactly whose values will shape public policy.

The brand-new role comes with a title and presumably a salary, but no indication of budget, team, or enforcement power. It's the government's favourite tactic: throw a person at a problem and call it strategy. Other states have done the same, creating a cottage industry of AI officers who can wave at press conferences while the technology outpaces every policy they write. Sakkaria is now the proud owner of the most ambitious job description with the least actual authority in Illinois. Congratulations.