Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp attended the official opening of Horizons, Georgia’s Innovation Lab, on July 16 in downtown Atlanta. The lab is operated by the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) and provides a space for testing ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies aimed at improving public service.
The event drew many attendees from state government, higher education, local government, and industry. Shawnzia Thomas, Georgia CIO and GTA executive director, described the lab’s role: “With Governor Kemp’s leadership in inaugurating the Georgia Innovation Lab, we’ve taken a bold step toward shaping the future of public service,” she said. “This lab is our proving ground, where imagination meets implementation. It’s where we de-risk innovation, explore the frontiers of emerging technology, and design solutions that anticipate the needs of tomorrow. Georgia is not just keeping pace with change; we’re setting the course for it.”
Work on the lab began in November 2023 when GTA established its Office of Artificial Intelligence and set up inter-agency working groups. Over 18 months, preparations included two summits with more than 200 participants from academia, government, and industry.
The project involved cooperation among several state leaders such as Thomas; Nikhil Deshpande, chief digital and AI officer; Keith Perry, chief development officer; Steve Hodges, CISO; Subramanian Muniasamy, CTO; and Dr. Rose Procter from the University System of Georgia.
Deshpande highlighted GTA’s goals for the facility: “This lab stands as a beacon for what’s possible when government commits to thoughtful, ethical, and responsible innovation,” he said. “It’s not just a space to test new technologies, it’s where we explore their real-world impact, center human needs, and build trust through transparency. By providing proving ground for emerging solutions, we ensure that progress is not only rapid but also rooted in purpose and public good.”
Horizons aims to help agencies across Georgia—including cities, counties, school systems—and private partners try out new technologies before wider use. The goal is to encourage adoption by allowing hands-on experimentation in a low-risk setting.
More information about Georgia’s AI program can be found at the GTA Office of AI website.
