Azer Bestavros, BU associate provost for computing and data sciences, speaking at a program highlighting major AI development in Massachusetts, held at BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences on December 12.

Artificial Intelligence

Massachusetts Officials Praise Statewide AI Progress at BU Event

Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences hosted AI experts to talk about the technology’s future and potential for job growth and innovation

As AI’s role in local, national, and global economies continues to expand, Massachusetts—a leading technology innovator, thanks in large part to its density of higher education institutions—is becoming a key player in artificial intelligence development.

On Friday, December 12, Boston University’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences hosted an event highlighting just how much AI work is happening across the state—and the leading role BU’s Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences is playing. The event was held on the building’s 17th floor, with views overlooking the Charles River and the Boston skyline.

Who were the drivers of the event?

The Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC), in partnership with the administration of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. 

What was the purpose?

To highlight the major AI developments in Massachusetts, and drive innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and public benefit throughout the state. A panel discussion, for instance, focused on AI projects in life sciences, healthcare, and robotics. At Boston University alone, the computing power and data storage provided by MGHPCC have supported more than 862 million hours and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of research across BU’s 17 schools and colleges.

What were some of the key points discussed?

This fall, The MGHPCC selected Cambridge Computer, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and VAST Data, to lead the development of the state’s AICR (artificial intelligence compute resource) environment. The goal of AICR is to make high-performance graphics processing units (GPU) and AI infrastructure more accessible to universities, start-ups, businesses, and communities statewide. 

Who is funding the effort?

The AICR effort is the first phase of a $120 million public-private investment aimed at advancing AI research, innovation, and economic growth across Massachusetts. It is one of the largest state-led AI initiatives in the country. 

What has Governor Healey said?

“AICR will enable the public and private sector to share resources, compute power and collaborative spaces as we explore new ways to drive innovation in the field of AI,” Healey said in a statement. “With the help of Cambridge Computer, Dell Technologies, and VAST, MGHPCC and the state of Massachusetts will be able to marshal the resources needed to build more responsible artificial intelligence solutions. Their efforts will create workforce development opportunities across regions and drive innovations that will benefit our economy in the long run.” 

Driscoll added: “Our state’s AI ecosystem stretches from the Berkshires to the Bayside.”

Who is overseeing the AI efforts in the state?

The Massachusetts AI Hub, created to scale the state’s AI initiatives, is at the nexus of everything, with Sabrina Mansur as its inaugural director. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative—which supports the hub and is led by CEO Carolyn Kirk—is also leading the charge. BU has partnered with the Innovation Institute at MassTech on various projects, including the Robotics & Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center and the New England Research Cloud.

What role are universities playing in AI innovation?

A research panel was established, featuring faculty from Boston University, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, UMass, and Yale. At Friday’s event, a representative from each school participated in a lightning round of presentations, with Azer Bestavros, BU associate provost for computing and data sciences and William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, representing BU.

One of the biggest concerns about AI is the amount of fossil fuel–based electricity it consumes, driving up greenhouse gas emissions. How is Massachusetts addressing that concern?

That’s where the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center enters the picture. It was established in 2012 in Holyoke, Mass., as a collaboration among BU, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, the University of Massachusetts system, and Yale. It is one of the world’s most energy-efficient computing facilities. (BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences is the largest fossil fuel–free building in Boston, and one of the largest in New England.)

Every month millions of virtual experiments are run at the Holyoke facility, supporting researchers around New England, the United States, and the world. The center has received LEED Platinum certification, the highest level awarded by the US Green Building Council, because it pulls almost all of its energy from carbon-free local sources. And the six founding institutions work with public school systems, other higher education institutions, and community groups to promote greater use of STEM research and computer science literacy.

Did officials say at the event how important AI is to the commonwealth’s future?

“Cambridge Computer is a key component in the state’s strategy to get ahead of the curve as AI reshapes how we work and live,” Eric Paley, secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, said in remarks. “We are building a pipeline to attract talent, start-ups, and small businesses from across the world to every corner of the state.”

“Massachusetts is setting the national standard for responsible AI innovation, showing that best-in-class compute power can be delivered in a 100 percent carbon-free, sustainable way,” said Mansur. “AICR development provides statewide access to the infrastructure needed for breakthrough discoveries that will shape the future.”

Did BU President Melissa Gilliam have a statement, as well?

“I applaud Governor Healey’s visionary commitment to expanding access to AI resources for the commonwealth’s research institutions, residents, businesses, and start-ups,” Gilliam said in prepared remarks for the event. “At Boston University, our researchers have already leveraged AI to achieve breakthroughs in areas such as Alzheimer’s treatment and skin cancer detection. This year, we launched our Artificial Intelligence Development Accelerator to empower our students and workforce with essential AI literacy, and to encourage collaboration and partnerships as we grow in understanding how to use AI for good. The expansion of the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center will further strengthen and accelerate these important initiatives and others like them across the commonwealth.”