By Eli Chavez – Inno Reporter, Boston Business Journal
The Healey-Driscoll administration announced key steps to grow Massachusetts’ AI sector, including appointing Sabrina Mansur as the first director of the Massachusetts AI Hub, launching a $31 million investment in high-performance computing through a new AI infrastructure (AICR) in partnership with MGHPCC, and planning a startup incubator with IBM and Red Hat. These efforts aim to establish the state as a national leader in AI innovation.
At IBM’s global THINK conference, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced major developments in Massachusetts’ AI strategy:
- Sabrina Mansur was named the first director of the Massachusetts AI Hub, bringing 20+ years of experience in AI and emerging technologies.
- The state is investing $31 million to expand access to high-performance computing through a new initiative called Artificial Intelligence Compute Resources (AICR), in partnership with the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC).
- This investment is part of the $4 billion economic development bill signed in 2023 and is expected to spark $120 million in joint investments over five years.
- The AI Hub is also pursuing a public-private incubator with IBM and Red Hat to support local AI startups.
These moves aim to position Massachusetts as a national leader in AI innovation and infrastructure.