Washington State University President Betsy Cantwell was was invited to speak Thursday for the signing of an executive order by Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson to establish a new Governor's Economic Development Council.

Cantwell is serving on the newly established council alongside more than two dozen leaders from across the state of Washington. The new council is designed to keep Washington at the forefront of innovation and economic development in the decades to come.

"I really am moved by the opportunity to make sure that the future of the state is also a future where we continue to innovate across all of the challenges that may come up," Cantwell said.

During her comments, Cantwell noted that the University of Washington and WSU sit at the beginning of the innovation pipeline. In that position, these institutions - along with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - have the capacity to generate and explore new ideas that result in the creation of entirely new sectors of the economy and make positive impacts on the public.

In response to a question about the role of artificial intelligence in the economy of the future, Cantwell highlighted opportunities centered on agriculture. She proposed that AI will play a vital role in feeding people around the world as well as bolstering the nutritional value of crops.

The council's work, as outlined by Ferguson during the event, will be focused keenly on keeping the state's economy among the best in the nation. The governor outlined several high priority objectives being tackled by the new collective:

• Advise the Governor and the Department of Commerce on the statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan funded in Governor Ferguson's first budget, due June 2027.
• Identify forward-looking market opportunities and strategies to increase family-wage jobs.
• Evaluate Washington's economic competitiveness relative to other states and global competitors.
• Make concrete recommendations on marketing Washington state to businesses from outside the state.
• Review our regulatory environment to address barriers to economic growth and alignment with federal, state, and local policies.
• Bring ideas that state agencies can take action on immediately.

Ferguson noted that Washington hasn't had a council dedicated to this work in two decades. And while it is a leader across several sectors - from aerospace technology and clean energy to agriculture and maritime trade - Washington cannot be complacent in an increasingly competitive economic environment.

"We must look to the future and work with leaders across our state to ensure we protect and grow our economy," Ferguson said. The work we do today and in the coming months will ensure Washington remains competitive for attracting businesses and investment. The work we do today and in the coming months will ensure Washington remains a place where people want to start and expand a business. And the work we do today and in the coming months will help businesses across Washington continue creating family-wage jobs."