Massachusetts Governor Launches AI Strategy with New Task Force

Through Executive Order No. 629, Governor Maura Healey established a strategic task force on artificial intelligence (AI) in the state. The order's goal is to strengthen the state's role in AI innovation and implementation, as well as to tackle the ethical and social issues that arise from the new technology. 

For Massachusetts business owners, the AI strategy could have significant implications for their operations, as they could benefit from new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and innovation in the AI sector, as well as from policies and guidelines that ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI. The task force will also consider the workforce needs and impacts of AI, and recommend ways to prepare and support workers for the AI economy. 

The AI Strategic Task Force will be co-led by the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and the Secretary of Technology Services and Security, with the assistance of two advisory co-chairs selected from the task force membership. The task force will also include at least 24 members from various sectors, including business, academia, labor, and government, appointed by the governor or designated by the legislative leaders and the City of Boston. 

The task force will be responsible for developing a comprehensive AI strategy for the state, with the following objectives, according to the Executive Order: 

• Identifying opportunities for collaboration around AI development and adoption with a focus on leading industries in Massachusetts, such as life sciences, healthcare, finance, and higher education institutions, including by considering the feasibility of establishing a center of excellence for AI; 
• Recommending strategies to facilitate public investment in AI opportunities and ways to otherwise support the establishment of AI-focused start-ups in Massachusetts;  
• Recommending strategies for promoting AI-related job creation and retention for the state, including assessing workforce impacts of AI technology and needs for associated workforce training;  
• Recommending new policies, guidelines, or frameworks that promote responsible AI development and use for the state, such as ethical and legal implications of AI, including issues related to biases, equity, privacy, security, and the potential misuse of AI-generated contents; and 
• Identifying ways for executive branch agencies to better achieve their missions through the adoption of AI. 

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives, from health care to education to energy. This move by the Healey Administration aims to position Massachusetts as a leader in developing and deploying this technology in a way that benefits residents, businesses, and communities.