Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp attended the grand opening of Horizons, Georgia’s Innovation Lab, on July 16 in downtown Atlanta. The lab, established by the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA), is designed as a flexible space for experimenting with ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies aimed at improving public service.
The ribbon-cutting event was attended by state officials, members of higher education, and leaders from local government and industry. The lab occupies space provided by GTA and aims to foster collaboration across sectors.
Georgia CIO and GTA executive director Shawnzia Thomas commented on the lab’s significance: “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.”
Planning for the Innovation Lab began in November 2023 when GTA created the Office of Artificial Intelligence and organized inter-agency working groups. Over the next 18 months, GTA held two summits that brought together more than 200 participants from academia, government, and industry to discuss plans for the lab.
Key contributors to bringing the lab to completion included Shawnzia Thomas, chief digital and AI officer Nikhil Deshpande, chief development officer Keith Perry, CISO Steve Hodges, CTO Subramanian Muniasamy, and University System of Georgia associate director for ethics and compliance Dr. Rose Procter.
Nikhil Deshpande highlighted the broader mission: “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 will serve as a collaborative environment where state agencies, local governments, school systems, industry leaders, and other partners can test new technologies before full-scale deployment. The goal is to support technology adoption through practical experimentation and shared learning.
More information about Georgia’s AI initiatives can be found at the GTA Office of AI website.
