As a licensed mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical supervisor, and educator in Jackson, Tennessee, my work has always emphasized protection, accountability, and ethical practices. These values now extend to my advocacy for responsible government use of artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is already embedded in state operations, assisting with decisions, services, and infrastructure, and more. Tennesseans deserve to know how these systems are governed and that they are set up in a way that can be helpful, but that also safeguards and protects Tennessee residents.
The Freedom of Information Act allows any United States citizen the right to request to review public records as it relates to federal agencies. Concurrently, the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 10‑7‑503 et seq.) allows Tennessee residents the right to request and view public records as it relates to Tennessee government. I submitted such a request to the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration regarding how the state is implementing AI within state systems. The agency acknowledged records were available, but did not release those records to me as required by Tennessee law.
In accordance with Tennessee law, I filed lawsuit suit urging the court to hold the Department accountable for compliance with Tennessee law.
Download/View Petition below:
Please view my previous blog posts below where I respectively discuss in detail my concerns about AI implementation in Tennessee, the steps I’ve taken regarding public records, and my proposal for comprehensive AI legislation for Tennessee.
Tennessee’s Dangerous Acceleration Into Artificial Intelligence (AI)
My Artificial Intelligence Comprehensive Legislation Plan for Tennessee