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.
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