LendingTree, the Charlotte-based financial marketplace, played a central role in shaping these guidelines. Sarah Bacha, the company’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Analytics, served on the Governor’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council to provide industry perspectives on transparency and consumer safety. The council’s final recommendations focus on creating a sustainable environment for AI growth across government, education, and the private sector.

Beyond formal policy, LendingTree representatives have pushed for a shift in how companies perceive regulatory guardrails. During last month’s Fintech + Insurtech Generations conference in Charlotte, LendingTree’s Director of AI Strategy, Hala Shakra, argued that governance should be viewed as a tool for acceleration rather than a barrier. By providing teams with clear operational boundaries, companies can innovate with greater confidence and speed, ultimately fostering the public trust necessary for long-term technological adoption.