Hartford Business Journal: Can a new AI innovation center anchor and grow Hartford’s legacy corporations?

Hartford is seeking state support for a $100 million artificial intelligence (AI) hub to train workers and foster AI innovation. The proposed Connecticut Center for Applied AI will provide training and lab spaces for businesses, universities, and other entities to test AI applications.

The initiative, backed by local corporations and universities, aims to leverage Hartford’s data-rich industries, especially insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing, to drive AI-driven growth. The project has broad support, including from the Connecticut AI Alliance, and could receive funding from the state’s $100 million Innovation Clusters program.

Vahid Behzadan, a University of New Haven professor, highlighted Hartford’s unique advantage in AI development due to its access to valuable industry data. The AI hub aims to create a workforce capable of meeting the growing demand for AI expertise.