Salem, Oregon – Oregon’s Chief Information Officer Terrence Woods has named Nik Blosser as the state’s first Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) and Artificial Intelligence Strategist. This is a big step toward making data protection stronger and using technology more responsibly. The appointment is a turning point for Oregon’s public sector as it faces the mounting problems of digital privacy and the fast pace of AI technology development.
Woods, who is in charge of the state’s Enterprise Information Services (EIS), stated that the decision to make this job a dual-role one has been in the works for years.
“Adding a Chief Privacy Officer and AI Strategist to the team at EIS has been a goal of mine for a few years and I am excited to bring Nik onboard,” said Woods. “Nik will significantly enhance our ability to safeguard data, ensure compliance with privacy regulations, prioritize workforce AI literacy, and lead efforts to promote a culture of awareness across all state agencies, ultimately making Oregon a leader in data protection, privacy management, and AI Governance.”
Blosser will be in charge of creating the vision and strategy for how state agencies secure personal data and deal with privacy risks as Oregon’s CPO. As an AI Strategist, he will also help Oregon’s public sector deal with the moral, technological, and policy issues that come up with artificial intelligence. He will help create a framework for innovation that is based on trust and openness.
Blosser’s expertise makes him a great fit for this groundbreaking job. He has a unique mix of technical know-how and communication skills as he graduated from Stanford University with a dual degree in Aeronautical Engineering and English. During his career, he has been in charge of both governmental and private organizations. He has worked in the Executive Office of the President, at Portland General Electric, and as Chief of Staff to Kate Brown, the former Oregon governor.
Blosser has been a well-known figure in Oregon’s corporate world for a long time, in addition to being in government. He was on the board of Sokol Blosser Winery, one of Oregon’s first family-run wineries, for more than 20 years. He also helped start Celilo Group Media, a company that works to promote goods and services that are beneficial for the environment. He is involved in his community by serving on the boards of Literary Arts, Oregon Business & Industry, and the Oregon Environmental Council.
Oregon wants to be a national leader in privacy management and AI governance, and Blosser is in charge of this new job. His nomination shows that the government is taking a proactive approach to regulating technological development, one that finds a balance between innovation and the rights and aspirations of the people it serves.
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