Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 24, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 29 Work together to shape AI BY SAIPH SAVAGE Special to WBJ E ven though artificial intelligence has garnered significant media attention in the last few years, it is not a new technology. Massachusetts has been a key player in AI innovation and growth. Gov. Maura Healey has em- braced this innovation, positioning the commonwealth to lead in AI development. Healey launched the Massachusetts AI Hub to foster collaboration among government, academia, and industry to advance AI technology and innovation. Northeastern University's Civic AI Lab hosted a panel with tech- nology and healthcare experts to discuss AI's impact on health care, from cancer diagnos- tics to assistive devices for those with disabilities. e discussion highlighted AI is increasingly seen not just as a tool, but as a means to enhance the quality of life in historically underrepresented communities. Early AI models aimed at supporting underrepresented communities, like individuals with disabilities, showcase future applications. For instance, over a decade ago, AI systems helped those with visual impairments navigate challenges and understand their surroundings. Today, generative AI can analyze photos and answer questions about them. While this seems novel now, it has long been utilized by visually impaired individuals. Opportunities for AI in social good extend beyond health. Human-centered AI design utilizes deep learning to foster fair workplaces, enabling supervisors to address employee mistreatment while empowering workers to advocate for better wages and growth. Furthermore, technologists employ reinforcement learning to combat misinformation and rectify historical inequities. To keep up with global competitors and emerging challenges, it's essential to pursue effective public policy at all government levels. We need to recognize how varying government regulations can stifle innovation. For instance, in our research on 3D-printed prosthetics, we discovered the U.S. faced significant regulatory hurdles, limiting domestic collaboration and company growth. Human-centered AI is crucial for transforming health- care by focusing on the needs of patients, providers, and underserved communities. AI tools can enhance diag- nostics, personalize treatments, and improve outcomes. is approach ensures AI addresses health disparities and empowers healthcare workers. Ultimately, human-cen- tered AI aligns technology with empathy and ethics, promoting innovations that are accessible and equitable. We should all strive to grow this technology's capacity for social good and avoid the pitfalls that hamper innova- tion and perpetuate systemic injustices. We can start by convening diverse stakeholders from government, aca- demia, and industry to better understand the technology, how it is deployed, and opportunities for the future. Saiph Savage is an assistant professor at Northeastern University in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences, where she directs the Northeastern Civic A.I. Lab. e new normal? We hope not. Saiph Savage W hen President Donald Trump won the plurality of the popular votes cast in the November elec- tion, he took that as a mandate from the nation to pursue his promises of overhauling the federal government and cutting overhead, a process sure to upend traditional norms. Aer just over a month in office, Trump has been making good on those promises. For those hoping for such a disruption follow- ing the election, this may be a welcome outcome, but the sudden policy changes are hitting home in the Central Massachusetts economy. e most direct hit so far is the attempt to cap indirect costs for new and existing National Institute of Health grants to 15%. As the largest recipient of NIH funding in the region, UMass Chan Medical School in Worces- ter immediately raised the alarm bells over the funding cuts. e school receives about $150-$200 million annually in NIH funding to conduct bio- medical and life sciences research, and the school – using all its funding sources – has spun off multiple companies based on its research and won two Nobel Prizes from that work. It's a vital part of the state's innovation economy, and substantial cuts in funding not only threaten the country's lead in research and innovation, but it could dent the local economy as well. A judge temporarily blocked the attempted cut to NIH funding, but the fight is far from over. At WBJ's Economic Forecast & Central Mass Real Estate Forum on Feb. 11, keynote Mark Melnik said the proposed NIH cuts would be catastrophic for the entire state economy, espe- cially combined with much tighter restrictions on H1-B visas. Melnik, the UMass Donahue Institute director of economic & public policy research, said the Massachusetts economy has largely completed its recovery from the impact of COVID-19, but the unknown impacts of sweeping policy changes emanating from Washington, D.C. cast the biggest uncertainty about the future of that economy. Change is coming, and it's coming hard. Some of it might be good for the region's economy, but this first spate of new spending guidelines is a big negative for the state and the region. UMass Chan and our state's business, research, and political leaders should continue to fight the NIH cuts, but even if they are successful in keeping existing grants intact, the future flow of NIH grants seems far from certain. We're for efficiency and cutting excesses in government spending. However, this kind of steep reduction, without warning, appears far too draconian a measure. e Massachusetts economy is built on innova- tive new products, research breakthroughs, and the development of new and exciting industries. Now is the time for a new type of innovation: adapting to the rapidly changing role of the federal gov- ernment in our businesses and communities. It's important to be more efficient, while also fighting for what is right, but it's also important to figure out ways to thrive during disruptive times. The Worcester Business Journal welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Please send submissions to Brad Kane, editor, at bkane@wbjournal.com. W W

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