{"id":50735,"date":"2025-04-30T21:20:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T01:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/?p=50735"},"modified":"2025-04-30T21:20:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T01:20:45","slug":"maine-ai-conference-to-explore-opportunities-risks-and-innovations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/2025\/04\/30\/maine-ai-conference-to-explore-opportunities-risks-and-innovations\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine AI Conference to explore opportunities, risks and innovations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, live and solve problems. To help the public shape how this powerful technology is adopted and applied in the Pine Tree State, the University of Maine Artificial Intelligence Initiative will convene the second annual Maine AI Conference<\/a> on June 13 in the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one-day event will bring together leaders from academia, industry government and the community to explore the challenges and opportunities AI presents for Maine. Discounted early registration<\/a> is available through May 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the rise of artificial general intelligence, researchers aspire to build software with human-level reasoning and self-learning,\u201d said Ali Abedi, associate vice president for research and director of the UMaine AI Initiative. \u201cThis conference passes the AI light through a prism, showing how it touches everything from infrastructure and education to ethics and security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As AI systems grow more powerful and more common, experts say the need for public understanding and deliberate policy has never been greater. Conference sessions will examine how to use AI ethically to address Maine\u2019s workforce shortages, improve business efficiency, enhance access to education and more. At the same time, discussions will focus on emerging concerns such as data privacy, misinformation, security and the impartial distribution of AI\u2019s benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cArtificial intelligence is not a universal solution or existential threat, it\u2019s a tool,\u201d Abedi said. \u201cAnd just like any tool, how we use it will determine whether it helps or harms. That\u2019s why we hope Mainers will join this conversation now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panels will include faculty from UMaine, the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine at Augusta, the Roux Institute, Husson University, and Harvard, as well as engineers, attorneys, and policy experts from across the globe. The AI Risks and Regulations session will include representatives from Sen. Angus King\u2019s office and the Maine Governor\u2019s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we stand on the brink of a new era in technological advancement, the Maine AI Conference symbolizes our commitment to not only keep pace with, but lead in the realm of artificial intelligence,\u201d said Kody Varahramyan, UMaine\u2019s vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. \u201cThis conference serves as a vital nexus for collaboration across sectors. By sharing knowledge and strategy, we can ensure AI works for all Mainers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event is organized by the UMaine AI Initiative in partnership with the UMaine Portland Gateway and faculty from institutions across the University of Maine System. It is supported by the Maine Technology Institute and reflects UMaine\u2019s leadership in AI research and education since the initiative\u2019s launch in 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, live and solve problems. To help the public shape how this powerful technology is adopted and applied in the Pine Tree State, the University of Maine Artificial Intelligence Initiative will convene the second annual Maine AI Conference on June 13 in the Collins Center for the Arts in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":445,"featured_media":50729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","spc_primary_category":0},"categories":[609,94,65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai","category-impact-newsletter","category-research-news"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1.jpg",1200,675,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-768x432.jpg",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1.jpg",1200,675,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1.jpg",1200,675,false],"archive_9_5":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-360x200.jpg",360,200,true],"portrait_3x4":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-105x59.jpg",105,59,true],"image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-600x338.jpg",600,338,true],"image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-600x280.jpg",600,280,true],"image_25_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-600x168.jpg",600,168,true],"3col-image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-317x178.jpg",317,178,true],"3col-image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-317x148.jpg",317,148,true],"3col-image_full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-317x178.jpg",317,178,true],"4col-image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-423x238.jpg",423,238,true],"4col-image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-423x197.jpg",423,197,true],"4col-image_full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-423x238.jpg",423,238,true],"6col-image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-634x356.jpg",634,356,true],"6col-image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-634x296.jpg",634,296,true],"6col-image_full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-634x357.jpg",634,357,true],"8col-image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-846x476.jpg",846,476,true],"8col-image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-846x395.jpg",846,395,true],"8col-image_full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-846x476.jpg",846,476,true],"9col-image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-951x535.jpg",951,535,true],"9col-image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-951x444.jpg",951,444,true],"9col-image_full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-951x535.jpg",951,535,true],"12col-image_16_9":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1.jpg",1200,675,false],"12col-image_15_7":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-1200x592.jpg",1200,592,true],"12col-image_full":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1.jpg",1200,675,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-320x180.jpg",320,180,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-400x400.jpg",400,400,true],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"umaps-featured-image":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-500x375.jpg",500,375,true],"umaps-icon-size":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-32x32.jpg",32,32,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"

Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, live and solve problems. To help the public shape how this powerful technology is adopted and applied in the Pine Tree State, the University of Maine Artificial Intelligence Initiative will convene the second annual Maine AI Conference on June 13 in the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono.  The one-day event will bring together leaders from academia, industry government and the community to explore the challenges and opportunities AI presents for Maine. Discounted early registration is available through May 16. \u201cWith the rise of artificial general intelligence, researchers aspire to build software…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"AI<\/a>, IMPACT Newsletter<\/a>, Research News<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"emiller","url":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/author\/emiller\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":609,"label":"AI"},{"value":94,"label":"IMPACT Newsletter"},{"value":65,"label":"Research News"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/ai-1-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"emiller","author_link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/author\/emiller\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":609,"name":"AI","slug":"ai","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":609,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":5,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":609,"category_count":5,"category_description":"","cat_name":"AI","category_nicename":"ai","category_parent":0},{"term_id":94,"name":"IMPACT Newsletter","slug":"impact-newsletter","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":94,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":112,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":94,"category_count":112,"category_description":"","cat_name":"IMPACT Newsletter","category_nicename":"impact-newsletter","category_parent":0},{"term_id":65,"name":"Research News","slug":"research-news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":65,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":226,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":65,"category_count":226,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Research News","category_nicename":"research-news","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/445"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50735"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50735\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50740,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50735\/revisions\/50740"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}