Suffolk Deans Provide Support to State’s New AI Task Force

Two Suffolk University leaders on artificial intelligence use and policy have been recruited to serve on working groups for Massachusetts’ Governor Maura Healey’s new Artificial Intelligence Strategic Task Force.

Sawyer Business School Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Pelin Bicen will serve on the task force’s talent, training, and workers working group, and Law School Dean Andy Perlman will serve on its legal and regulatory working group.

Bicen—who has led the integration of generative AI concepts and tools into the Sawyer curriculum—will focus on addressing AI’s impact across industries in the Commonwealth in her role.

“With the remarkable pace of AI advancement, it is crucial to address the challenges and opportunities it presents. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important work,” said Bicen. Read a Q&A with Bicen on AI and Sawyer Business School.

Perlman created Suffolk Law’s first-of-its-kind legal innovation and technology concentration. He was named to National Jurist’s 2024 Most Influential People in Legal Education list and serves as an advisory council member for the American Bar Association Task Force on the Law and Artificial Intelligence.

“Artificial intelligence is poised to transform both the legal profession and society as a whole,” Perlman said. “At Suffolk, we are committed to preparing the next generation of professionals to use AI effectively and ethically, so I’m especially excited to contribute to and learn from the Commonwealth’s approach to this rapidly evolving area.” Read a Q&A with Perlman on AI and the law.

The task force, co-chaired by leaders from the Executive Office of Economic Development and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, will advise Governor Healey how the state can best support businesses in leading sectors around AI adoption. It will also produce recommendations focused on start-ups’ ability to scale and succeed in Massachusetts.

‘Bringing together the brightest minds’

“Massachusetts has the opportunity to be a global leader in applied AI, but it’s going to take us bringing together the brightest minds in tech, business, education, healthcare, and government. That’s exactly what this task force will do,” said Healey in a statement announcing the formation of the group.

“Members of the task force will collaborate on strategies that keep us ahead of the curve by leveraging AI and GenAI technology, which will bring significant benefit to our economy and communities across the state.”

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said establishing the task force was a major step in harnessing AI technology “with the goal of establishing our state as a global leader in its effective and responsible utilization.”

“Our administration acknowledges AI as a transformative technology set to influence various aspects of our nation’s economy,” Driscoll said. “This task force will position Massachusetts as a hub for talent and business excellence.”

Suffolk President Marisa Kelly said it was exciting to have two members of the University community selected to share their expertise with state leaders. “As AI quickly transforms the future of work, we are committed to preparing Suffolk students to harness its power in impactful and ethical ways so that they are prepared for the world into which they will be graduating. Pelin and Andy have served as critical on-campus AI pioneers, and I know they will bring great value to the Commonwealth’s task force.”