SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts ranks fifth in the nation for artificial intelligence-related job postings, but the state faces a retention challenge, with only 40% of AI graduates staying.
Producing over 6,500 AI-related graduates in 2022, Massachusetts is home to about 25,700 workers with AI-related roles or skills, according to a 2024 state AI Strategic Task Force report.
Local initiatives, such as AI-equipped body cameras in Chicopee and AI-driven educational programs in West Springfield, are enhancing services from city hall to public safety and education, while setting a precedent for innovative and efficient governance.
In Springfield City Hall
Springfield has been testing AI in its election and clerk’s offices. City Clerk and Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez said city staff used AI to design voter giveaways.
At the CPD
In Chicopee, the Police Department recently started using body cameras equipped with artificial intelligence. Public Information Officer Travis Odiorne explained that AI helps with routine, but often time-consuming, work.
“AI is used with our body cameras to assist with generating police reports. The body camera records and transcribes the footage into a report, which our officers then review for accuracy,” Odiorne said. It ensures accuracy and saves time, he said.
Odiorne mentioned that the department began wearing body cameras about five weeks ago. The AI technology was included in the package they signed off on.
“This technology makes it easier for officers, because they don’t have to worry about missing notes,” he explained. “The transcription captures everything said on the scene.”
The AI also can translate hundreds of languages.
“It supports 253 languages and can live-translate conversations,” Odiorne said. “This helps us communicate better with people who speak different languages.”
However, Odiorne noted that the AI transcription doesn’t capture the feelings and emotions of the people involved.
“Officers still need to modify the reports to include what they saw and felt on the scene,” he added.
Education in West Springfield
West Springfield is employing artificial intelligence in education.
Stefania Raschilla, superintendent of schools, said she was at a conference in January at which Jeffrey C. Riley, former Massachusetts commissioner of elementary and secondary education, spoke about the benefits of AI.
Today, Riley is a senior adviser at “A Day of AI,” a nonprofit group born out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that equips students to effectively navigate AI today and into the future.
“They explained all the amazing things AI is doing around the world,” Raschilla said. “I thought, ‘This is something we should be teaching our students.’”
Raschilla believes AI can help students and teachers by providing innovative tools for learning and teaching. “We often hear about the negative aspects of AI, but it’s important to teach students about its benefits and ethical considerations,” she said.
To introduce AI, Raschilla and Riley planned several initiatives. They aim to start with a speech to inspire staff about the transformative power of AI in education.
Teachers will receive a three-hour workshop in August on AI policy development, ethical guidelines, and using AI for data-driven decision-making and student support.
“We want our teachers to feel confident using AI as a resource,” Raschilla said. “This training will help them integrate AI into lesson planning, student engagement and personalized learning.”
The district also plans to hold a districtwide AI day, in which students, teachers, and administrators will engage in AI projects.
“Our goal is to give students a competitive edge and help teachers become comfortable with AI,” Raschilla said. “We want to ensure everyone understands both the practical applications and ethical considerations.”
Raschilla hopes that with this initial training, teachers will embrace AI and use it to enhance their teaching methods.
“We want our kids to have that advantage, but I can’t have my teachers afraid of it,” she said.
Raschilla said she would like to participate in the workshop herself.
She said this could possibly lead to additional partnerships with MIT for students who are interested in this work.
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