Tess deBlanc-Knowles to Lead AI Efforts Under NSF Director

Tess deBlanc-Knowles has taken on a new role at the National Science Foundation as special assistant to the director for artificial intelligence.

She is expected to lead efforts to address AI-related issues and the implementation of a related executive order, NSF said.

The agency also tasked deBlanc-Knowles with facilitating collaboration on AI initiatives and enabling the agency to “productively engage with ongoing national processes around AI.”

She will continue serving as a strategic adviser for technology policy and strategy at NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said deBlanc-Knowles will provide expertise integral to advancing research to enhance understanding of AI.

Previously, deBlanc-Knowles served as a senior policy adviser at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s National AI Initiative Office. She co-chaired a task force responsible for updating the National AI Research and Development Strategic Plan.

Her educational background includes a master’s degree in security studies from Georgetown University.