This article was originally published in the Union Leader.
By Phil Magnuszewski, Founder of D!srupt AI, Co-Chair of the NH AI Task Force.
Across our nation, states are no longer debating if AI will reshape their economic landscape; they are actively competing to define how. From billion-dollar innovation funds to sweeping workforce development initiatives, the race is on to capture the immense productivity gains and competitive advantages that AI promises. For New Hampshire, this moment represents both a significant challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. Our success will be determined by our ability to act cohesively and strategically.
In response to this, the NH Tech Alliance’s Government Affairs Committee has convened the New Hampshire Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. This is not an academic exercise, but a working group of business executives, academic leaders, and experienced policymakers. The group is charged with a single, critical mission: to develop a practical, statewide roadmap for AI adoption and governance. Our goal is to ensure New Hampshire is a premier destination for innovation, talent, and sustainable economic growth in the AI era.
In order to succeed, we must embrace what makes our state unique. While larger states may pursue top-down mandates, New Hampshire has always thrived on a pragmatic, collaborative approach. Our tight-knit business community and direct access to policymakers are not weaknesses; they are our core strategic strengths. This Task Force is designed to leverage that advantage, ensuring our state’s strategy is built not in a vacuum, but from the ground up, informed by the leaders who know their organizations and our economy best.
The impact of AI manifests differently in every corner of our economy. A manufacturer in the North Country may leverage predictive maintenance to prevent costly downtime and optimizing complex supply chains to remain competitive globally. A healthcare administrator in the Merrimack Valley, may be using AI-powered diagnostics to improve patient outcomes, especially in rural areas, while navigating the critical challenge of securing sensitive patient data. A financial institution in Portsmouth sees the potential to detect fraud with greater accuracy and personalize the client experience, while academic leaders across our university system are fundamentally rethinking curricula to prepare students for a workforce where AI literacy is as fundamental as reading and writing.
Each of these scenarios presents a unique set of opportunities and obstacles. A one-size-fits-all state policy will not work and why the Task Force has opened the New Hampshire AI Survey. This is a direct channel for the leaders on the front lines to inform our strategy with practical, actionable intelligence.
To build this roadmap, we need to move beyond speculation and gather your insights. We want to understand the critical workforce and talent shifts on the horizon, moving from abstract fears of job loss to a practical inventory of the skills that will be in highest demand over the next five years. We must identify the real-world barriers such as the high cost of implementation, lack of in-house expertise, or regulatory uncertainty that are slowing AI adoption across our economy. We need your perspective to pinpoint where the most promising opportunities lie to boost our state’s competitiveness and how to best manage the profound ethical and security challenges that accompany this powerful technology.
New Hampshire has always been defined by its independent spirit. Now is the time to apply that spirit to secure our economic future. The insights gathered will form the foundation of a living blueprint for our state’s future. This blueprint has the potential to chart a course for strengthening our talent pipeline by forging new, agile partnerships between employers and our educational institutions. It will propose tangible ways to support our small and medium-sized businesses in de-risking AI investments, helping them gain a competitive edge in a market dominated by larger players. It will lay the groundwork for a more innovative, efficient state government and establish the practical governance frameworks necessary to build public trust without stifling progress.
To make this vision a reality, we need data from leaders like you. All survey responses are confidential and will only be reported in aggregate to identify statewide trends and priorities.
The survey is open now through the end of November and is designed to be completed in just a few minutes by a leader within your organization. You can access it at nhtechalliance.org/nh-ai-task-force-survey/.
The future of our economy will be built by the choices we make today. By sharing your strategic insights, you are helping to ensure New Hampshire is not just a participant, but a leader in the AI-driven economy.