Accelerating Applied AI in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge is a grant program designed to inspire the development of domain-specific AI models capable of catalyzing scientific discoveries, accelerating commercialization of AI applications or generating substantial public benefits. The Challenge funds projects that develop, fine-tune or adapt AI models to unlock breakthroughs in priority industry sectors with potential for significant downstream applications within the next three years.
Context
The Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge is a flagship initiative under MassTech’s new Massachusetts AI Hub, announced by Governor Healey on December 19, 2024. The AI Hub serves as the central entity for coordinating and managing key assets required for AI innovation and ecosystem growth including data resources, high-performance compute power, interdisciplinary research, talent development and more. This Innovation Challenge aligns with the AI Hub’s mission to foster ethical, impactful and forward-looking AI advancements in Massachusetts.
Building on the recommendations of the Healey-Driscoll administration's Strategic AI Task Force, the AI Hub leverages insights from Massachusetts’ thriving innovation ecosystem to prioritize projects that drive transformative impacts across the state’s key industry sectors, including health care, life sciences, financial services, robotics, advanced manufacturing, climate tech and education. The MA AI Models Innovation Challenge will further inform the work of the AI Hub towards the discovery of priority applied AI use cases and the resources needed to bring AI advancements to life.
Key AI Ecosystem Benefits
Deployment-ready AI Models in strategic sectors
Real-world deployment across high-impact domains.
Open-source tools and public datasets
Enrichment of AI Research through release of models, annotated datasets and associated tools under open-source licenses.
Early commercialization and startup acceleration pathways
Multiple projects involve commercialization strategies, including partnerships with Massachusetts-based startups and the development of market-facing tools, laying the foundation for new company formation and product launches.
Integration with new AI infrastructure
Pilot usage of shared compute capacity and data infrastructure provided through MGHPCC and the forthcoming Massachusetts Data Commons, helping to operationalize these initiatives.