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Massachusetts Appoints First Director for AI Hub

The Massachusetts AI Hub aims to revolutionize AI collaboration and innovation.

News Summary

Massachusetts has appointed Sabrina Mansur as the first director of its new AI Hub, part of a $100 million initiative to boost the state’s presence in artificial intelligence. The hub aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry, enhancing research capabilities and job creation in AI. With a focus on applied initiatives to tackle global challenges, the initiative includes significant investments in high-performance computing and partnerships with tech giants for startup support. This move positions Massachusetts as a key player in the growing AI landscape.

Boston, Massachusetts – The state of Massachusetts has appointed Sabrina Mansur as the inaugural director of the new Massachusetts AI Hub, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the state’s role in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. Mansur’s appointment was announced on May 5, 2025, as part of a larger $100 million initiative dedicated to boosting AI innovation within the state.

Massachusetts has historically lacked recognition as a leading AI hub compared to major cities like San Francisco, New York, and Paris, which are home to major AI companies such as OpenAI, Perplexity, and Mistral. However, with a rich tradition of academic excellence and research, the state is well-positioned to contribute significantly to AI development through its academic institutions.

Sabrina Mansur, who has previously served in strategic roles at Draper Laboratory in Cambridge and Motional, focusing on self-driving car technology, is tasked with spearheading this transformative project. As director, Mansur aims to change the perception of Massachusetts within the AI sector and to amplify the efforts of existing research and startups. She envisions an ecosystem for AI collaboration that mirrors the successful life sciences community in Kendall Square.

One of the key objectives of the Massachusetts AI Hub is to leverage resources from local academic institutions and industries to tackle global challenges through applied AI initiatives. Mansur believes that AI could potentially generate more employment opportunities than it displaces, underscoring the positive impact of AI technology on the state’s economy.

The state has already made substantial commitments to foster AI innovation, including a $31 million grant aimed at enhancing high-performance computing resources crucial for AI development. The Massachusetts AI Hub is set to provide access to essential AI infrastructure through a partnership with the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC), which will be instrumental in supporting public and private higher education institutions, startups, and local businesses.

This partnership is expected to involve joint investments estimated to reach $120 million over the next five years, facilitating robust AI research and development. Furthermore, a public-private partnership with technology giants IBM and Red Hat is currently being developed to create a startup accelerator program specifically for AI entrepreneurs. This initiative is designed to nurture talent and innovation in the AI field.

Massachusetts has also announced the Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge, which will allocate over $3 million to support the development of AI models across various sectors. Additionally, in March 2025, a grant of over $1.9 million was awarded to LabCentral to launch an “Applied AI” program that targets breakthroughs in biotechnology, further showcasing the state’s commitment to fostering innovation in AI technologies.

As Mansur prepares to finalize the staffing of the AI Hub and open new positions, she is focused on building a collaborative environment that encourages the integration of AI into different industries. By emphasizing the use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Mansur highlights their value for both personal and professional tasks, asserting the importance of accessible AI technologies.

The Healey administration views these investments in the Massachusetts AI Hub as essential for stimulating job creation and nurturing economic opportunities within the state. As the initiative progresses, it seeks to position Massachusetts as a global leader in responsible AI innovation, ultimately illustrating the potential of artificial intelligence to drive economic growth and societal advancement.