Indian American Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller talks AI vision for state at UPenn

PHILADELPHIA, PA (TIP): Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller delivered opening remarks at University of Pennsylvania during its sixth PRECISE Industry Day on October 4, 2024.
The event hosted leaders in academia, public service, and the tech industry with the aim to build partnerships across state lines and further the conversation on artificial intelligence and engineering. “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.
Lt. Gov. Miller, who serves as the 10th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Maryland, is the second woman and the first woman of color and immigrant to be elected to statewide office. In her statement, she said “artificial intelligence is not just the future; it’s the present, and Maryland is committed to leading the charge.”
As a civil and transportation engineer, Miller, who has actively advocated for STEM during her time in the office, noted that “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.”
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, the press release said.
“Approaching AI adoption in Maryland with pragmatic optimism,” Nishant Shah, Maryland Senior Advisor for Responsible AI said the Moore-Miller administration is taking measures to support evolving AI technologies as well as “building momentum” to encourage innovation.
As a key part of UPenn’s collaborative work in machine learning, autonomous systems, and cyber physical systems, PRECISE Industry Day sets to work towards an impactful change, uniting academia and industry at the event.