"What I love about this is that it did not take an act of Congress. This is something we can do ourselves. We do not have to rely on Congress."
Cordell Carter
"I believe that states are now the incubators of progress. States like New York have an opportunity to position ourselves as real leaders in many areas where the federal government, for the next three and a half years, has abdicated responsibility."
Governor Kathy Hochul
Key Takeaways
State-Level Leadership as Federal Alternative: States are emerging as key innovators as federal investment in science, research, and social programs declines, stepping in to address domestic challenges through leadership and collaboration. Public-private partnerships are increasingly essential since “governments cannot solve all the problems and nor should they.”
Inclusive Innovation and Technology Access: Democratizing artificial intelligence is essential for equitable growth, exemplified by New York’s $500 million Empire AI initiative providing supercomputing access to underrepresented communities. Technology works best when designed by those directly affected, as seen in a young woman from foster care developing AI tools for the system. With 47% of tech CEOs being foreign born, immigrant entrepreneurs are indispensable to innovation.
Economic Resilience Through Diversity: Dependence on a single industry creates economic fragility, as Buffalo’s post steel collapse showed. Economic resilience demands local and global alignment, with climate crises requiring coordinated responses. Strategic alliances such as the $50 billion U.S. Canada trade partnership remain vital even amid federal tensions.
Migration as Economic Solution: With 700,000 open jobs, New York’s migration challenges offer a chance for strategic workforce integration. Immigration has long fueled entrepreneurship, as immigrants “by nature risk takers” drive innovation and economic renewal.
Action Items
For Political Leaders: Establish state-level AI initiatives prioritizing equitable access for underrepresented communities and public good applications. Create workforce training centers in high-poverty neighborhoods as part of major economic development agreements. Mandate childcare provisions in large-scale business partnerships to ensure women’s participation in technology and manufacturing sectors.
For Policymakers: Develop comprehensive migration-workforce matching programs connecting available jobs with immigrant populations seeking legal pathways. Implement “government on your side, not on your back” policies that foster supportive business environments while upholding social responsibility standards. Diversify the economic base to avoid single-industry dependence and build resilience against economic shocks.
For Technology and Business Leaders: Partner with public institutions to ensure AI and technology development serves the public good rather than solely private interests. Recruit talent from affected communities when designing solutions for social challenges, following the foster care AI model. Invest in inclusive infrastructure, including childcare and workforce training, as part of major business expansions.
For Multilateral Organizations: Support state-level international partnerships that maintain global cooperation despite federal policy shifts. Facilitate knowledge transfer between regions facing similar challenges such as climate disasters, economic transitions, and workforce development. Create frameworks for sharing AI and technology resources across borders for public benefit applications.
