Former North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Launches Blockchain and AI Coalition

Dan Forest, former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, has launched a new coalition aimed at bringing together companies working in blockchain, artificial intelligence, finance, and energy to help shape technology policy.

The new group, called the North Carolina Blockchain + AI Initiative, seeks to provide a unified voice for technology companies as regulators develop rules around emerging technologies at both the state and federal levels.

Expanding Earlier Blockchain Efforts

The coalition builds on work that began in 2019 when Forest helped create a state blockchain task force to explore how the technology could benefit North Carolina’s economy.

The new initiative expands that effort by adding artificial intelligence to the focus, reflecting the growing influence of AI across industries.

Forest said the state has strong potential to become a leader in these technologies.

“North Carolina has the infrastructure, the talent, and now the unified industry voice to become a national leader in blockchain and AI,” Forest said in a statement.

Focus on Policy and Regulation

One of the coalition’s main objectives is to influence the development of technology policy in Raleigh and Washington, D.C.

Key priorities include:

Supporting federal stablecoin legislation
Reforming the data‑center permitting process
Creating a bipartisan legislative working group to develop a comprehensive blockchain and AI policy framework

These efforts aim to ensure that regulations support innovation while addressing potential risks associated with emerging technologies.

Addressing Infrastructure Concerns

The initiative comes at a time when North Carolina’s growing technology sector is facing increased scrutiny over infrastructure demands.

Some communities in the state have temporarily paused approvals for new data centers to evaluate their potential impact on electricity usage, water resources, and environmental sustainability.

These discussions highlight the challenge of balancing technological innovation with environmental and local community concerns.

Leadership and Board Members

The coalition will be led by a board of experts from the technology and policy sectors.

Dan Spuller, executive vice president of the Blockchain Association in Washington, D.C., will serve as chairman of the board.

Other members include:

Lyle Gravatt – Intellectual property lawyer
Eric Porper – Financial technology entrepreneur
John Bridge – National security and financial crimes specialist
Alej Navia – Media and technology entrepreneur

Day‑to‑day operations of the coalition will be coordinated by Patrick Riley, a former assistant to Mark Robinson, the current lieutenant governor of North Carolina.

Growing Influence of Blockchain and AI

The launch of the North Carolina Blockchain + AI Initiative reflects the growing influence of advanced technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence in shaping economic development and public policy.

As governments worldwide work to regulate these technologies, industry coalitions like this one are expected to play an increasingly important role in guiding how rules are developed.