BOSTON, Mass. — Business, government, civil liberties, and higher education leaders are set to convene at the Massachusetts State House on January 20, 2026, for a cross-sector roundtable examining how artificial intelligence can advance responsibly while maintaining public trust, transparency, and human judgment.
The roundtable, hosted by Senator Michael O. Moore, will focus on how artificial intelligence is already influencing daily life across the Commonwealth, from access to public services and education to hiring practices and institutional decision-making. The session is intended to foster dialogue among those shaping, using, and studying AI as the technology becomes more deeply embedded in society.
“As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in how people experience government, education, and opportunity, it’s important that policymakers listen carefully to those building, using, and studying these technologies,” Moore said. “This roundtable is about creating space for that dialogue, so innovation continues in ways the public can understand and trust.”
Organizers said the discussion comes at a moment when states are increasingly responsible for overseeing how AI systems are implemented, as federal guidance continues to evolve. Massachusetts has long positioned itself as a national leader in education, research, and technology-driven growth, often pairing innovation with public purpose.
The roundtable is being convened in partnership with Human Edge, a collaborative initiative founded by Strategic Growth & Innovation, LLC, which connects leaders from higher education, industry, and civic institutions around responsible and human-centered AI adoption.
“Ethics and innovation are often framed as being in tension, but in practice they are deeply connected,” said Shauna Conway, Founder of Human Edge and Strategic Growth & Innovation. “When people understand how AI is used and why decisions are made, trust grows. This conversation is about bringing leaders together across sectors to explore how Massachusetts can continue to lead with both innovation and integrity.”
Participants in the discussion will include Elizabeth Mahoney, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at the Massachusetts High Technology Council; Gideon Epstein, Technology for Liberty Policy Counsel at the ACLU of Massachusetts; Yunus Telliel, Assistant Professor in the Humanities and Arts Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Secretary Jason Snyder, Commonwealth CIO and head of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security; and Tepring Piquado, Chief Executive Officer of the National Science Policy Network.
Rather than advancing specific policy proposals, the roundtable is structured as a facilitated dialogue centered on listening and shared learning. Topics are expected to include transparency in the use of AI systems, human oversight in high-impact decisions, accountability within existing legal frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration to maintain public confidence as adoption accelerates.
The session will be moderated by Conway, who brings more than two decades of experience in technology strategy, governance, and implementation across public and private organizations, including prior service as a Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer.
