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Arizona Technology Council

Arizona Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem (AAIE) Committee

Mission: The AZ AI Ecosystem Committee is dedicated to leading Arizona’s journey into the era of artificial intelligence by providing thought leadership, expertise, and recommendations to the community and legislators on AI-related best practices, usage, and policies. Our mission is to create a vibrant community that unites industry leaders, professionals, and enthusiasts passionate about AI.
Through collaborative subcommittees, we strive to:

  • Facilitate Knowledge Exchange: Create a platform for the exchange of ideas, best practices, and emerging trends in AI, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
  • Inform Legislation: Provide valuable insights and recommendations to legislators, ensuring that AI-related policies align with ethical standards, privacy considerations, and promote innovation.
  • Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Encourage a diverse range of voices to participate, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to AI development and deployment.
  • Nurture Talent: Support the growth and development of AI talent by connecting education, research, and industry, thus contributing to Arizona’s reputation as a hub for AI excellence.
  • Drive Innovation: Collaborate on cutting-edge projects, research initiatives, and industry partnerships to position Arizona as a leader in AI innovation.

Committee Chair: Minky Kernacs, Co-Founder and CEO of Mercurio Analytics

Sub-Committee Chairs: 

  • Aerospace and Defense: Karyn MacVean, Co-Founder of Arizona Spaceport Alliance
  • Healthcare: Sonia Vohnout, & Alicia Moura Ginter, Consultant at
  • Communication: Wes Nurney, Enterprise Account Executive at Replicant
  • Workforce Development: To be filled
  • Hospitality: Adam Laor, Co-Founder and CEO at Sinatra
  • Mentoring: Amol Ajgaonkar CTO, Innovation at Insight Enterprises
  • Collaboration and Funding: John Choate, CEO & Prin. Program Manager at GLOBALAI Supply Chain Solutions , LLC
  • Advanced Manufacturing: John Choate
  • Education: To be filled
  • Mining: Mary Darling, Managing Partner and CEO at Darling Geomatics and Dr. John Kemeny
  • Public Policy: Minky Kernacs

Staff Liaison: Karla Morales, Vice President of Southern Arizona Regional Office, Arizona Technology Council

This committee is open to employees of member companies based anywhere in the state of Arizona. For information about joining the AAIE Committee, please email Karla Morales at [email protected].