New York State replaces AI chief, names new chief digital officer

The New York State Office of Information Technology Services on Monday announced Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, a United Nations University researcher, has been appointed as chief artificial intelligence officer, replacing Shreya Amin, who spent less than a year in the role. The state also named a new chief digital officer.

The agency said Fournier-Tombs will play a “pivotal role” in shaping the next phase of AI strategy for ITS, state agencies and the whole of New York’s state government. She brings more than 15 years of experience in AI, data governance, technology innovation and digital transformation work. Most recently, she served as head of anticipatory action and innovation and as a senior researcher for United Nations University, where she founded and led the UN’s first AI policy research lab. She supported crisis forecasting for the organization by directing governance and lifecycle management of predictive-analytics and AI systems.

Along with strategic planning, ITS said Fournier-Tombs will lead an effort to refine and improve its “acceptable use of AI technologies” policy. According to New York officials, she will also work to optimize the benefits of AI while minimizing risk and carrying out ITS priorities, like expanding in-house AI education and generative AI tools for state employees.

“It is truly a privilege and an honor to serve the State of New York as Chief AI Officer. We have a unique opportunity to shape the future through the impactful and accountable use of artificial intelligence,” Fournier-Tombs said in a news release. “My focus will be to harness AI to strengthen services, improve operations, and enable data-driven decision-making, while upholding the highest standards of ethics, equity, and transparency. By working closely with state agencies and the communities we serve, we will deliver meaningful outcomes for residents and keep New York State at the forefront of government AI innovation.”

New York State Chief Information Officer Dru Rai said Fournier-Tombs’ experience will help “accelerate innovation” in the state.

“Eleonore’s leadership will guide the thoughtful and responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies in support of our goal of delivering meaningful benefits for all New Yorkers,” Rai said in the release.

Amin, the state’s previous and first chief AI officer, was named to the role last March. According to Scott Reif, ITS’ chief communications officer, Amin “left state government for personal and professional reasons, including the launch of her new company.” Before joining the state she had worked in data and AI roles in the private sector and government.

As chief AI officer, Amin helped to build a small AI office within ITS, advanced several AI initiatives, like Empire AI — a heavily funded supercomputing consortium intended to support university research projects across a wide range of disciplines, aimed at using “AI for good” — and executing an AI education and training pilot program that was recently completed with approximately 1,000 employees from various areas of state government.

The state on Monday also named Stephen Graham, a technology firm founder, as its new chief digital officer. He’s tasked with leading ITS’ efforts to scale and seamlessly deliver digital services to New Yorkers and align those efforts across state agencies. Most recently, Graham was the chief executive and co-founder of Anontech, a software engineering and data technology company. He has also served as chief information officer of AppliedAI Technologies, a software firm in Schenectady.

“I am honored to serve as Chief Digital Officer for New York State. I am excited to help modernize and streamline our technology and data practices so that state services are easier, more intuitive, and more accessible for all New Yorkers,” Graham said in the release. “By working closely with our partner agencies and the communities we serve, we will strengthen how data and technology support public services, improve digital access, and ensure New York continues to meet modern standards while delivering real value to residents across the state.”