Though artificial intelligence is still often referred to as an “emerging” technology, the truth is that AI-powered solutions are barreling forward at a pace that’s surprising even experts in the field.
In Connecticut, artificial intelligence in healthcare is taking center stage, with researchers and scientists exploring how this technology has the power to fundamentally change the face of our healthcare system. While most AI-powered healthcare solutions are still in their embryonic stage, it’s clear that we’ve reached an historic moment in the history of medicine—and Connecticut may very well become the epicenter of some of the most groundbreaking AI technologies in healthcare in the years to come.
At Yale University, for example, researchers at the School of Medicine have been rapidly publishing papers on AI-assisted healthcare solutions. In August 2023, researchers developed an algorithm to diagnose aortic stenosis, eliminating the need to undergo other testing methods like doppler exams. Instead, using the new algorithm, doctors may be able to diagnose a patient just by analyzing their echocardiogram. In another study, researchers are using AI to help physicians predict COVID outcomes for emergency room patients, thereby allowing them to better differentiate between those who will need inpatient care and those who can safely recover at home.
To capitalize on the exciting AI research that’s coming out of Connecticut, a new effort is now underway to transform Connecticut into a hub of artificial intelligence for the healthcare industry. The Connecticut Health AI Collaborative, formed to revolutionize and advance healthcare in Connecticut, will bring together professionals in academia and industry to develop the AI-powered applications that will optimize medical processes, enhance diagnoses, reduce costs, and improve patient care.
AI experts, researchers, policymakers, and visionaries from the state’s major healthcare organizations and universities will join forces and collaborate on AI-powered research in healthcare and create a library of AI algorithms that everyone can share. Scott Lowry, the project coordinator of the collaborative, hopes that this joint program will also inspire Connecticut colleges and universities to develop a curriculum that’s focused on the use of AI in healthcare.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic vision; it’s quickly become a reality that has the power to transform every industry. And not since the advent of modern medicine has healthcare seen such a revolution. AI engineers, computer scientists, data analysts, business professionals, and more are driving the change that’s taking place in Connecticut’s AI-powered healthcare system.
It’s an exciting time to explore what AI can do for your career in Connecticut. Whether you want to become part of the state’s AI-driven healthcare system, or you’re interested in applying the latest tools and methods in other areas and industries, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for in Connecticut.
But one thing’s for sure – you’re going to need a formal education in AI first. From bachelor’s degrees to master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs, you’ll find a growing number of options to align with your professional goals, both in Connecticut and online.
Connecticut Welcomes AI… But With Guardrails in Place
Artificial intelligence is welcome in Connecticut, but it better play by the rules.
In June 2023, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill that would regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the state. The law, which outlines an “act concerning artificial intelligence, automated decision-making, and personal data privacy,” serves as a framework for how the state will regulate AI moving forward. The bill requires the legislature to form a group to make recommendations on how AI will be regulated in the state, Governor Lamont also asked the legislature to begin building what will be an AI bill of rights.
At the same time, the bill requires the Department of Administrative Services to begin assessing and cataloging how the state is currently using AI. It also requires the Office of Policy and Management to begin working on policies and procedures that will be used by state agencies when developing, implementing, and utilizing AI systems.
Connecticut’s bill of rights will be designed to reflect a 2022 blueprint that was released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
With past incidents of AI algorithms having been trained based on biased data, concerns over discrimination were among the reasons the State of Connecticut has put this legislation into motion. The collective efforts of the bill are part of an effort to eliminate racial profiling and other biases that could impact the services state residents receive.
They cited a study conducted by the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information and the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School that revealed that though AI was being used by many state agencies to make decisions, the public was largely unaware of how the AI tools were developed or being used and how AI was affecting decision-making.
Connecticut is one of a growing number of states developing clear AI legislation. In the 2023 legislative session, at least 25 states, along with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, introduced AI bills and another 15 enacted legislation or adopted resolutions.
AI Jobs in Connecticut
Connecticut has all the makings for a strong job market for AI professionals ranging from engineers to computer scientists to data analysts to business experts. Here’s why:
- It’s home to global research institutions like Yale and UConn, and it neighbors big tech cities like Manhattan and Boston.
- It has a highly educated workforce. It’s ranked third in the nation by the U.S. Census Bureau for its number of advanced degrees.
- Connecticut was recently ranked the top state in the nation for its digital economy and the fourth state for its number of “knowledge jobs” by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation.
- Bloomberg ranked Connecticut fourth among the nation’s Most Innovative States.
Artificial Intelligence Jobs in Stamford, Hartford, Shelton, and Windsor Locks
Connecticut is home to a myriad of AI jobs that call for computer scientists, software engineers, robotics engineers, data scientists, and other AI professionals with the technical prowess and knowledge to lead the state well into the future.
- AI professionals at Stamford’s Shelf, which develops knowledge management platforms for businesses, are called upon to lead AI strategy and drive innovation of the company’s AI product.
- Generative AI data scientists/architects for Cognizant Technology Solutions in Hartford apply AI and data science to inform decision and help clients prototype, scale, refine, and validate new products and delivery models.
- AI software and systems architects at Lockheed Martin in Shelton use cutting-edge machine learning (ML) to address complex problems involving global security. Some of the AI professionals here work as part of the software framework team for the Beacon program within the Lockheed Martin Artificial Intelligence (LAIC) and the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).
- AI business development leaders at Deloitte in Stamford are part of SFL Scientific, a data science consulting firm that specializes in building industry-specific AI technologies.
- Principal engineers in data intelligence, analytics, and AI for Collins Aerospace in Windsor Locks contribute to the development and deployment of value-added analytics tools and methodologies by conducting advanced statistical analyses and identifying and measuring trends.
- Data scientists at Hartford’s Change Healthcare are responsible for building the next generation of AI models that impact healthcare. They are responsible for all parts of the AI development pipeline.
AI Companies in New Haven and Stamford
Connecticut’s AI companies are diving deep and taking a front row seat to the emerging AI revolution. From budding startups to established names in academia, research, and industry, AI companies here are just as impressive as you’d imagine.
For example, New Haven is home to BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that’s using AI techniques to develop cutting-edge medicines in neuroscience and immuno-oncology.
And in Stamford, the tech startup Noteworthy AI helps electric companies evaluate pole conditions before they perform routine operations. The company’s technology uses cloud-based AI software and computer vision to geolocate the pole and then produce high-resolution images that detect issues like corrosion, rotting wood, and leaky transformers.
There’s also plenty happening in the state’s colleges and universities. For example, the University of New Haven’s College of Engineering is home to the Connecticut Institute of Technology, which serves as a hub of research and applied learning for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Research here is focused on cybersecurity and networks, computer science, data science, AI, and electrical and computer engineering.
UConn’s School of Business is where you’ll find OPIM Innovate, an educational research lab that allows students of all disciplines to learn, explore, and develop skills focused on emerging technology and analytics. In 2023, UConn entered into a partnership with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) that will allow both institutions to collaborate on joint projects and funding opportunities. Projects will focus on manufacturing technologies, automation, robotics, and materials engineering. For example, the two institutions have plans to conduct collaborative research on controlling manufacturing variability using AI.
AI Salary in Connecticut
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Connecticut’s AI scientists and engineers, who fall under the broader BLS category of computer and information research scientists, earned a median salary of $116,120 as of May 2022.
Those with little to no experience in the field earned about $106,230 during this time, while those at the top of the pay scale (likely those with extensive experience and graduate-level degrees) earned about $169,590.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Master’s Degree and Certificate Courses in Connecticut and Online
From bachelor’s degrees to master’s degrees to graduate certificate programs, AI programs provide both aspiring and practicing AI professionals with the formal education they need to enter or advance in the field. Though degree programs in artificial intelligence in Connecticut are still emerging, many colleges and universities across the nation have begun offering online programs that allow students to earn their degree from the comfort of their home.
Bachelor’s degrees in AI are largely offered through schools of computer science. Most are offered as part of a BS in Computer Science, though some schools have begun offering standalone degrees in the field, as well. Bachelor’s degrees in AI are grounded in a strong math and science foundation that includes courses like linear algebra, calculus, and statistics. The AI core of these programs is focused on AI theory, methodologies, and applications and includes study in areas like robotics, autonomous systems, and smart systems.
Master’s degrees in AI tend to vary quite a bit, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. It’s common to find these programs designed as engineering, computer science, business, and data science degrees. For example, the University of Bridgeport offers an MS in AI through their School of Engineering. This program, and many like it, offers the opportunity to specialize in data sciences/data analytics, cybersecurity, robotics & automation, and deep learning & computer vision.
Many master’s degrees in engineering (MSEng) that include a concentration in AI also offer options to specialize in different engineering disciplines, such as chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering.
AI Engineering Degree and Certificate Options in Bridgeport
Choose an AI engineering master’s degree and you’ll have opportunities to study AI as it intersects with cybersecurity, robotics, deep learning, and more.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Private)
Rensselaer at Work
Hartford, CT
Website
Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning and AI (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $18,090
University of Bridgeport
School of Engineering
Bridgeport, CT
Website
MS in AI (on-campus)
Offered with concentration options in:
- Robotics and Automation
- Deep Learning and Computer Vision
- Data Sciences and Data Analytics
- Cybersecurity
Total Estimated Program Cost: $34,510
Only private AI master’s degree in Connecticut.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for computer information and research scientists. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.