Maryland committed to leading the charge with AI: Aruna Miller

Maryland’s Indian American Lt. Governor Aruna Miller says balancing innovation with ethical considerations, Maryland can lead in the responsible use of AI while improving public services and enhancing the quality of life for all its residents.

“Artificial intelligence is not just the future; it’s the present, and Maryland is committed to leading the charge,” she said outlining the state’s AI vision at the University of Pennsylvania during its 6th PRECISE Industry Day on Oct 4.

PRECISE Industry Day has grown into a well-renowned platform for building partnerships across state lines. The event hosts leaders in academia, public service, and the tech industry from across the country for a full day of collaboration and insightful discussions.

Maryland has established itself as an epicenter of STEM research and education, particularly in the fields of quantum computing and artificial intelligence with Morgan State, University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins all producing innovative research in recent years, according to a media release from Miller’s office.

READ: Indian American-led researchers make AI smarter with artificial neuron (September 20, 2023)

As a civil and transportation engineer, Miller has been a leader for the administration advocating for STEM, and recently headlined the Quantum World Congress in Northern Virginia, the release stated.

“The Moore-Miller Administration is approaching AI adoption in Maryland with a pragmatic optimism,” said Nishant Shah, Maryland Senior Advisor for Responsible AI. “That means getting in place strong foundations around governance and productive use, so that no matter the direction AI technologies move, the state will be well poised to adapt. It also means building momentum, so that we’re learning by doing.”

“PRECISE’s legacy of groundbreaking work in AI-enabled, safety-critical systems forms a foundational part of Penn Engineering’s leadership in responsible innovation that positively impacts society,” said Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering. “They will be a key part of the School’s impact as we move forward with collaborative work in machine learning, autonomous systems and cyber physical systems.”

“At PRECISE, we recognize the imperative of adapting to the rapid evolution of technology,” said Dr. Insup Lee, Director of the PRECISE Center at Penn Engineering. “This year’s Industry Day emphasizes collaboration and learning from those who are driving innovation. Together, we can shape a future where academia and industry unite for impactful change.”

“AI is reshaping the world as we know it. Not just our economies, but society, democracy, and geopolitics as well,” said Keynote Speaker Dragos Tudorache, Member of the European Parliament and Chief Negotiator of the EU AI Act. “So bringing together all those that shape the AI itself is the right and timely thing to do. I am grateful to the University of Pennsylvania and the PRECISE Center for this opportunity and look forward to the conversations we will have.