For Immediate Release 

Statewide Coalition of Universities, Industry, and Public Service Partners Launches Connecticut AI Alliance

— A group including 16 academic institutions and six community organizations and nonprofit agencies will collaborate with the goal of establishing Connecticut as a premier hub for artificial intelligence, innovation, and application – 

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – March 6, 2025 — A group of leaders representing a statewide collection of universities, leading corporations, and public sector partners today announced the launch of the Connecticut AI Alliance (CAIA). The groundbreaking consortium seeks to advance the development, application, and impact of artificial intelligence across Connecticut. Founded to foster AI-focused business development, workforce training, policy engagement, and community access, CAIA is poised to position Connecticut as a premier hub for AI innovation.

The Alliance launches with support from 16 academic institutions, six associations, and nonprofit agencies, creating a robust foundation for AI advancement across the state. 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 Connecticut AI Alliance represents a significant milestone in our state’s technology landscape,” said Vahid Behzadan, Ph.D., co-founder of CAIA, assistant professor of computer science and data science at the University of New Haven, and director of the University of New Haven’s Secure and Assured Intelligent Learning (SAIL) lab, who was appointed in 2023 by Governor Ned Lamont to the Connecticut Artificial Intelligence Working Group. “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.”

CAIA’s mission focuses on five key pillars:

1. Research and Development: Promoting interdisciplinary research collaborations to address real-world AI applications and challenges
2. Workforce Training: Delivering skills-based programs to equip Connecticut’s workforce with necessary AI expertise
3. Business and Industry Growth: Fostering AI-driven businesses and startups through access to computing resources and knowledge transfer
4. Innovation Infrastructure: Establishing shared technical infrastructure, including a state-wide AI computing cluster
5. Community Engagement: Building a thriving AI community through seminars, workshops, and industry events

The Alliance launches with the support of Connecticut’s premier academic institutions, including 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 Connecticut, University of Hartford, University of New Haven, University of Saint Joseph, Wesleyan University, and Yale University. Associations and nonprofit organizations supporting the CAIA include BioCT, Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies, Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, CT AI Health Collaborative, and The WorkPlace.

Through CAIA, academic institutions will collaborate on shared research projects, joint educational programs, and cross-institutional workforce training. This centralized approach will enable Connecticut’s institutions to pool their expertise and resources, catalyzing innovation and advancing AI knowledge across multiple sectors.

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. By providing access to cutting-edge infrastructure and creating opportunities for collaboration, CAIA will drive economic growth and innovation in industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.

CAIA will be governed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from academic institutions, industry leaders, and public sector stakeholders. The board will work alongside an executive team led by an executive director.

About Connecticut AI Alliance (CAIA)

The Connecticut AI Alliance (CAIA) is dedicated to fostering collaboration across academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to advance AI innovation, research, education, and workforce development. Through a network of partnerships, CAIA drives Connecticut’s leadership in AI by supporting groundbreaking research, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating a skilled AI workforce. To learn more, visit www.ctaialliance.org.  

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Ashish Agarwal

February 16, 2025

Can a new AI innovation center anchor and grow Hartford’s legacy corporations?

Hartford is seeking up to $100 million in state support to establish the Connecticut Center for Applied AI, a proposed innovation hub aimed at training a cutting-edge AI workforce and providing a testing ground for corporations. The initiative, backed by major insurers and universities, would leverage Hartford’s deep data reservoirs to drive AI advancements. If approved, the center could transform the city into a national leader in AI-driven business solutions while keeping its legacy industries competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

Post By:

Ashish Agarwal

February 16, 2025

A CT city has major aspirations as center for AI technology. It’s vying for a slice of $100M from the state.

Hartford, once a hub of industrial innovation in the 19th century, is now positioning itself as a center for artificial intelligence. Competing for a share of Connecticut’s $100 million Innovation Clusters program, the city hopes to establish an AI hub that will bridge the gap between academia and industry while revitalizing its economy.

With backing from major corporations—including Travelers, The Hartford, Cigna, and CVS Health—alongside support from local universities, Hartford’s AI initiative aims to provide a collaborative “AI sandbox.” This hub would focus on applying AI to industries such as healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and municipal government.

Potential locations for the AI center include Constitution Plaza, the former Stanley Black & Decker manufacturing accelerator space, and the site of a former data center near Dunkin’ Park. If realized, the initiative could cost up to $100 million over seven years, starting with a temporary space before establishing a permanent facility.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to ensure AI benefits economic growth while addressing concerns over job displacement. State officials, including DECD Commissioner Daniel H. O’Keefe, see AI as a transformative technology with greater potential impact than the internet or mobile revolution.

With the state set to announce finalists soon, Hartford’s bid represents a bold step in reclaiming its status as a center of innovation, leveraging AI to drive economic development and workforce transformation.