In addition to corporations and public sector partners, 16 academic institutions have signed on to support the initiative, including the University of Connecticut, the University of Hartford and Yale University, demonstrating their growing commitment to AI.
The other institutions involved are:
- Albertus Magnus College
- Charter Oak State College
- Connecticut College
- Fairfield University
- Goodwin University
- Mitchell College
- Quinnipiac University
- Sacred Heart University
- Trinity College
- University of Bridgeport
- University of New Haven
- University of Saint Joseph
- Wesleyan University
Alliance Aims to Meet the Demands of a Future Powered by AI
Students across the country have voiced concerns that they are not prepared to use AI in the workforce. "The Alliance will play a key role in bridging the gap between research and commercialization while ensuring Connecticut’s workforce is well-prepared for the demands of an AI-driven economy," the organization noted in its statement.
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"CAIA aims to harness the collective strengths of its diverse members to create an AI ecosystem that positions Connecticut as a leader in artificial intelligence development," the group said. With an aim to create a highly collaborative tech environment, CAIA is built around five key pillars:
- Research and development: Fostering cross-disciplinary research to tackle real-world AI challenges and develop new, innovative applications
- Workforce training: Offering training and learning programs to provide Connecticut’s workforce with appropriate expertise
- Business and industry growth: Promoting AI-based companies and startups through access to computing resources and knowledge transfer
- Innovation infrastructure: Building a common technical infrastructure, "including a state-wide AI computing cluster"
- Community engagement: Creating a vibrant AI community through meetings, seminars and workshops, and industry events
“The Connecticut AI Alliance represents a significant milestone in our state’s technology landscape,” said Vahid Behzadan, the consortium’s co-founder. Behzadan is also an assistant professor of computer science and data science at the University of New Haven and director of the university’s Secure and Assured Intelligent Learning lab (SAIL).
“By bringing together our state’s academic institutions, industry partners, government agencies and community organizations, we’re creating a collaborative ecosystem that will drive innovation, economic growth and workforce development in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence,” Behzadan said.
