Massachusetts is working to catch up with San Francisco in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The state has created an AI task force and proposed $100 million in funding to create an 'Applied AI Hub'. Efforts are being made to attract and retain AI talent, including organizing an AI-focused career fair and a volunteer-organized effort called the AI Blueprint for Massachusetts. Many AI software developers are being heavily recruited by Bay Area companies, leading to concerns about the exodus of talent from Boston. San Francisco and New York are seen as more dynamic cities with better networking opportunities and access to risk-taking investors. However, there are positive signs locally, such as faculty building companies in Boston and an increase in sabbaticals from faculty. Venture capitalist John Werner acknowledges the need for more innovations and developments to make Boston a leader in AI, but believes it is possible.
In Baltimore, Tariq Hook, a seasoned software engineer, leads a team of five engineers that heavily uses AI tools like GitHub Copilot. These tools have made the team up to twice as fast, primarily generating repetitive code and aiding in debugging. The future role of software developers is questioned, whether generative AI will replace them or simply augment their capabilities. Members of the DMV's startup scene praised the diversity and supportiveness that sets it apart. The UpSurge 2024 Baltimore Tech Ecosystem Report is now out, offering data on local startups, capital, and workforce [ea2b834e].
The Maryland Service Year Program is open to high school graduates and GED recipients ages 18 to 21. The program provides opportunities for young adults to engage in service and gain valuable skills and experiences. In the field of education, the National Aquarium's 2023 annual report highlights initiatives in STEAM education. Maryland Public Television's 'Made in Maryland' series returns to showcase leading makers and innovators. Technical.ly Lead Reporter Alanah Nichole Davis will be speaking at the Maryland MEP's Tech Talks program on April 30. The Student Venture Showcase will take place at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School on April 30. The Baltimore Neighborhood Economics Lab will be held on May 30 at Coppin State University [ea2b834e].
MongoDB Inc. is enhancing performance and partnering with major cloud providers to empower developers with intelligent data tools. The recent MongoDB.local NYC event saw announcements and partnerships that strengthen the company's bond with its partners and expand its database ecosystem. MongoDB's chief product officer, Sahir Azam, discussed how the company is helping its partners harness the power of generative AI and the capabilities of MongoDB Atlas, its core product. MongoDB's Atlas, a cloud database, allows developers to deploy, manage, scale, and maintain deployments on cloud services of their choice. The company aims to provide a more natural way for developers to persist data and store it in a document-oriented structure, freeing developers to move quickly and make schema adjustments without taking the database down. MongoDB's Atlas accounts for two-thirds of the business [e9967314] [02e43606]. MongoDB.local NYC 2024, the company's annual developer conference, kicks off its world tour of events across 23 cities.
MindsDB is an open-source AI tool that brings machine learning to SQL databases. This tutorial covers the basics of MindsDB, from installation to making predictions. To install MindsDB, use pip. Start the MindsDB server to access the web-based GUI. Connect MindsDB to your SQL database using the provided command. Train a model by specifying the data source and target column. Use the trained model to make predictions by integrating them directly into SQL queries. Analyze the results to evaluate the model's performance.
Yvonne Hao, the Economic Development Secretary of Massachusetts, discusses the value of public/private partnerships and the promise of AI for future generations. Massachusetts is dedicated to an assertive approach to AI, with a nascent AI task force and collaboration from legislators, labor, and academia. Hao encourages startups and business people to stay in Massachusetts and offers support for their success. She highlights the state's focus on tackling complex challenges like curing disease, fighting climate change, and figuring out AI. Hao concludes with an appeal to MIT students to stay curious and hungry.
Massey Villarreal, CEO and President of Precision Task Group (PTG) and Chairman of the Texas Association of Business, emphasizes the crucial role of technology in Texas' economy and national security. A recent study by the Texas Association of Business highlights the impact of the tech industry on job creation and economic growth in Texas. Austin is ranked as the top city for tech talent in the United States. Lawmakers must be cautious about policies that could slow AI innovations and tech developments, risking economic gains and tech leadership to China. The Texas House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies, chaired by State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, has released its initial interim report. The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence warns that the US could lose its leadership position in AI to China if it does not act. Villarreal emphasizes the importance of American companies leading AI development to reap economic and security benefits.
NASA HQ will host an AI/ML presentation for the Science Council. The presentation will focus on AI/ML initiatives within the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and highlight the roles of the Office of the SMD Chief Technologist and the Office of Chief Science Data Officer. The presentation will cover investments and collaborative efforts in AI/ML. The insights shared are expected to shape the future application of AI in NASA's scientific endeavors.
Brandy Durham is the Vice President of Global AI Practice at ManTech. She leads a team that focuses on providing comprehensive AI consulting, engineering, and implementation services to U.S. federal clients. ManTech's Data Analytics and AI Solutions Practice helps clients operationalize data and improve decision-making against national adversaries. Durham and her team leverage their deep mission knowledge to design and implement customized AI solutions for clients. They use ManTech's proprietary AI Consulting methodology, the AI Turbocharger, to fast-track clients' AI adoption. Durham is a third-degree black belt in Chung Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do and believes it has instilled discipline and focus in her life and work. [b898d04e]
Lauren Geer, the senior vice president and chief human resources officer of IAC, uses AI for various HR functions, including writing job descriptions and emails. IAC is a holding company for media and internet brands. Geer has worked in the HR space for nearly 25 years and joined IAC last year. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining the human touch in HR while using AI to streamline processes. Geer also uses AI for personal tasks such as helping her children with homework and planning travel itineraries. IAC is not a typical tech company and has a history of building and spinning off public companies. The company values internal hires and rewards vision and ambition. Geer enjoys traveling with her family in her free time. [1a0026c2]
To develop an effective AI strategy, organizations should consider hiring a permanent Chief AI Officer (CAIO) who can align AI initiatives with long-term goals. The CAIO and their team are responsible for designing AI capabilities, building AI into solutions, and allowing for customized AI solutions. They should also consider strategic partnerships with companies like AWS, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral, and NVIDIA. The CAIO should have a strong emphasis on ethical aspects and be given the freedom to experiment and involve employees in ideation, feedback, and testing. The CAIO role can help organizations drive the usage of AI, monitor privacy and security, and streamline AI approaches to reduce spending. The decision to hire a CAIO should be made when AI is seen as a long-term strategy and not just a departmental initiative. The lines between a CAIO, CTO, and CIO can be blurred, so it's important to establish swim lanes and ensure alignment among the technology leaders. Before hiring a CAIO, organizations should develop a well-thought-out job description and consider the hierarchy and reporting structure. The CAIO should work closely with the CTO to align on AI strategy. It's important to have an up-front agreement and understanding of the role's responsibilities and metrics for success. The CAIO role should support the main business strategy and move the business forward. Organizations should focus on understanding AI and how it can be used across the organization. [fa19f8a9]