Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro partners with Penn State to tap into faculty expertise for AI-related advisory support

TL;DR:

  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro partners with Penn State to leverage faculty expertise in AI.
  • Aims to address AI-related topics like organizational strategy, risk assessment, and governance.
  • An executive order was signed to ensure the responsible and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI).
  • Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences and AIMI will provide advisory support.
  • Collaboration extends to include experts from Carnegie Mellon University.
  • Penn State faculty to advise on the ethical use of generative AI across the state.
  • AIMI’s leadership facilitates communication with private sector innovators.
  • Penn State’s cutting-edge computing infrastructure, including the Roar supercomputer, will be utilized.
  • Collaboration includes expertise in natural language processing, computer vision, and data analytics.
  • Penn State AI Hub serves as a central hub for AI-related research and applications.

Main AI News:

In the wake of the burgeoning influence of artificial intelligence (AI), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with Penn State. This strategic alliance aims to harness the university’s profound faculty expertise to provide essential advisory support on AI-related matters, encompassing organizational strategy, risk assessment, and governance.

Shapiro emphasized the necessity for government leaders to embrace innovation, adapt to evolving technological landscapes, and promote responsible AI utilization. He underscored the importance of educating oneself while proactively mitigating risks and maximizing the advantages of cutting-edge technologies. In a significant move, Governor Shapiro signed an executive order to govern the use of generative artificial intelligence, ensuring the responsible and ethical adoption of AI technologies in the Commonwealth.

Penn State, already recognized as a national leader in AI thought leadership and deployment, stands poised to amplify its impact through this partnership. The collaboration extends to include Carnegie Mellon University, as both institutions play a pivotal role in shaping the Generative AI Governance Board. These efforts align with Penn State’s commitment as the Commonwealth’s land-grant university, reaffirming its dedication to serving Pennsylvania and global society.

Penn State faculty experts will play a crucial role in advising the board and overseeing the responsible, efficient, and ethical use of generative AI across the state. The Center for Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Industry (AIMI) at Penn State will facilitate collaboration between the government and key private sector innovators. This collaboration will foster innovation and create a channel of communication with industry partners at the forefront of AI development.

Andrew Read, interim senior vice president for research at Penn State, emphasized the university’s multifaceted excellence in cutting-edge domains like AI, machine learning, and data analytics. Penn State’s state-of-the-art computing infrastructure, including the Roar supercomputer, enables researchers and businesses to tackle complex problems at scale. This infrastructure empowers data-driven decision-making processes and the extraction of valuable insights from vast datasets.

Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology contributes to the partnership by studying and developing algorithmic theories, utilizing machine learning, predictive modeling, data mining, and causal discovery. Their expertise spans diverse domains, from natural language processing and computer vision to reinforcement learning and data analytics.

Jenni Evans, director of the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences at Penn State, highlighted the university’s leadership in AI and machine learning. Penn State faculty members are renowned for their expertise, making the institution an ideal partner for high-tech projects demanding advanced AI solutions.

AIMI plays a pivotal role in connecting discoveries made by Penn State researchers and students with industry members. This collaboration helps solve real-world problems and capitalizes on market opportunities. AIMI’s work explores innovative ways to leverage AI, advancing industry solutions and contributing to the nation’s competitive workforce.

The Penn State AI Hub, established in 2021, serves as a central hub for AI-related research, education, and applications across all Penn State campuses. The hub promotes the utilization of AI and machine learning to address challenging issues and expand their applications into unforeseen domains.

David Hunter, director of the AI Hub, envisions a future where AI’s limitless potential drives innovation, solves complex problems and empowers communities. Hunter stressed the importance of collaboration, cutting-edge research, and the transformative power of AI in shaping a brighter future.

Penn State’s AI and ML capabilities result from interdisciplinary research and core computational facilities, making it an attractive partner for industry and agency collaborations. Nationally, AI has emerged as a transformative technology impacting various sectors, from the arts and agriculture to national security. The collaboration between Pennsylvania and Penn State reflects the growing importance of AI, with numerous states enacting or proposing legislation to govern its use.

Conclusion:

This collaboration between Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro and Penn State signifies a significant stride toward harnessing AI’s potential in governance and strategy. It showcases the increasing importance of AI in the market, particularly in government applications and partnerships with leading educational institutions. This initiative will likely pave the way for more responsible and ethical AI adoption in various sectors, including state governance, academia, and private industry, contributing to innovation and problem-solving on a broader scale.

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