Illinois has chosen Kader Sakkaria as its first-ever chief AI officer, a newly created leadership post filled as the state formalizes its approach to AI governance, strategy and adoption across the enterprise.
While many governments have formed AI task forces or advisory groups, fewer have dedicated executive positions focused on AI and its use in areas such as administrative operations, data analysis, customer service and workforce productivity. Alabama, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Montana and Texas are among the states that have already appointed AI officers; Arkansas is actively recruiting.
Jennifer Jennings, communications director for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), confirmed Sakkaria’s appointment via email. The move follows the state’s search for a chief AI officer, which began late last year as part of broader efforts to establish a dedicated AI office within DoIT.
The position was created to help lead Illinois’ AI and machine learning strategy and to support the development of governance frameworks, standards and policies for the technology’s use across state government.
The state launched a search for someone who could successfully take on these tasks, indicating the role would serve as a central point of leadership for AI initiatives and help establish a more formal structure around governance and oversight.
Sakkaria’s background aligns closely with those priorities, spanning AI, data strategy, cloud modernization and digital transformation. This is likely his inaugural public-sector position. According to his LinkedIn profile, he was most recently global head of data technology and center of excellence at Gallagher, where he helped oversee large-scale data and analytics operations, including AI governance initiatives.
Earlier still, he was chief digital and technology officer at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, where he led cloud migration efforts and helped establish an enterprise generative AI practice.