AI Blueprint for MA: Call #6 Summary and Mission Overview

The AI Blueprint for Massachusetts is a new initiative. It’s made for fostering and expanding AI talent within the state. This mission is crucial in supporting the State of Massachusetts AI Task Force, which planners started in order to underscore the importance of AI in the state's future and is funded with $100 million.

The goal is to attract, retain, and nurture AI talent, through practical efforts and community engagement. The Blueprint operates on several foundational channels, that people can participate in, including a website, a Slack channel for communication, and a group email system managed via HubSpot.

Mission and Approach

The core mission of the AI Blueprint for MA is to create a thriving environment for AI professionals and enthusiasts in New England. Organizing mini-projects helps with this goal: it’s  usually done by 2-3 people over two or three months, to foster collaboration and innovation. These projects are entirely volunteer-driven and participants do not engage in lobbying activities. For collaboration, they use tools like Slack, a dedicated website, and email communications. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of defining what constitutes "AI Talent," providing a clear framework for identifying and nurturing the right people.

Key Points from Call #6 (August 2, 2024)

Moderator: Paul Baier

The sixth organizational call for the AI Blueprint for MA, held on August 2, 2024, brought together a sizeable group to discuss progress and future plans. Here's a summary of the main agenda items and discussions that took place as people thought about the future of AI:

1. Introductions and Voice of the Customer (VOC): The session started with brief introductions and a segment where attendees could share their experiences and expectations  - and they did. The attendees got input from students and recent graduates, emphasizing the importance of engaging the next generation of AI talent.
2. Mission Review: Paul Baier described the mission: attracting, retaining, and growing AI talent in New England. He highlighted the role of the website as a central hub for information and resources.
3. Mini-Projects: People discussed the concept of mini-projects. They emphasized short-term, collaborative efforts that allow participants to contribute meaningfully without a long-term commitment. These projects are a practical way to engage volunteers and produce good results, with focus on how to improve our use of AI.
4. Updates on Existing Work Streams:
   • AI Task Force: An update on Governor Healey’s Strategic AI Task Force highlighted strategic initiatives and progress, with some additional notes on context.
   • Mini Project Tracer: Rodolfo presented the status of ongoing mini-projects using a slide deck.
   • 90-Second Video Advert: Katie Chavez introduced a short video designed to attract more students to the initiative.
   • Northeastern University Collaboration: Jon Relvas and Colleen Thibeault from Northeastern University presented introductory slides on potential collaborations.
   • AI-Focused Grants: Salil (Sal) Darji discussed opportunities for AI-focused grants, encouraging participants to explore funding avenues.
   • Video Submissions: Paul Baier encouraged attendees to submit one-minute videos explaining why they love working in AI in Boston/MA.
   • Measuring Success: Erica Bose talked about metrics and KPIs to track the success of the initiative.
   • Playbooks and Directory: Adam and Beth introduced a playbook for volunteers, while Luke discussed creating a directory of college CS and AI clubs.
5. Retention of International AI Talent: Linxin provided insights on strategies to retain international AI professionals and foster inter-generational AI collaboration.
6. Upcoming Events:
   • AI Career Fair: An AI Career Fair is scheduled for October 29 at the Hynes Convention Center.
   • K-12 Schools Engagement: Javid, Vikram, and others discussed plans to engage K-12 schools in AI education.
   • Museum of Science Event: Christine Parker, Kara Peterson, and Debbie Millin are organizing an event at the Museum of Science focused on AI education.
7. Additional Initiatives:
   • LinkedIn Group: Efforts to grow a LinkedIn group for networking and resource sharing were discussed.
   • Media Training: Amanda presented plans for media training to help participants effectively communicate their work and its impact.
8. Chatbots: The meeting concluded with presentations on chatbot projects, showcasing different approaches using platforms like ChatGPT and CustomGPT.

Conclusion

The AI Blueprint for MA is a dynamic and evolving initiative. It’s driven by a committed community aiming to make Massachusetts a leading hub for AI talent. The August 2 call demonstrated significant progress in multiple areas, and set the stage for upcoming activities and events designed to further the mission. Through continuous collaboration, the AI Blueprint for MA seeks to build a robust ecosystem that supports AI professionals and fosters innovation in the region.