Governor Kay Ivey has announced new statewide policies banning the use of certain artificial intelligence technologies on Alabama’s government networks and devices. The move follows the release of a final report by the Governor’s Generative AI Task Force, which included recommendations to address risks associated with generative artificial intelligence.
“Yesterday, my GenAI Task Force released a final report which, among other things, included recommendations to address the risks associated with generative artificial intelligence,” Ivey wrote in a memorandum sent to all state agency heads. “Today, consistent with that recommendation, I am announcing new policies implemented by the Secretary of Information Technology to ban from the state IT network and state IT devices the AI platforms known as DeepSeek and Manus.”
“Because of their affiliation with the Chinese government and their vast data-collection capabilities, these platforms pose unacceptable risks to The State of Alabama and its citizens in terms of data privacy and cybersecurity,” Ivey continued. “These platforms also raise serious concerns about Chinese censorship and propaganda.”
The policies, detailed in the attachment to the memorandum under “Least Functionality / Unauthorized Software,” direct state executive-branch agencies to “immediately take all necessary steps to comply with them.”
“In addition, the new policies contain a general framework for identifying and blocking other harmful software programs and websites—even while recognizing exceptions for law enforcement and other essential government functions,” the governor noted.
“A particular focus will be on protecting state IT infrastructure from each of the nations our Legislature has designated as a ‘foreign country of concern’—specifically, China (but not Taiwan), Iran, North Korea, and Russia.”
Ivey emphasized the importance of cybersecurity to the state’s daily operations.
“Alabama’s IT infrastructure houses significant amounts of Alabamians’ sensitive data and drives countless automated government functions supporting our economy, our schools, public safety, emergency response, and more,” she said. “For these reasons, we must always be vigilant in protecting it.”
She concluded the memo by expressing her appreciation to agency leaders for their service.
“Thank you for all you do to ensure the success and safety of our great State. Together, we will defend the State of Alabama and its people from the growing security risk posed by DeepSeek, Manus, and similar harmful technologies.”
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
