Massachusetts Leaders Convene Cross-Sector Roundtable on AI Ethics, Trust, and Innovation
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concern; it is already shaping how residents access public services, how students learn, how employers hire, and how institutions make critical decisions that affect people’s lives.
On January 20, 2026, Senator Michael O. Moore will host a cross-sector roundtable at the Massachusetts State House focused on a pressing question: How can innovation in artificial intelligence continue to advance while trust, transparency, and human judgment remain at the center?
The Purpose of the Discussion
This event aims to bring together leaders from various sectors including government, business, civil liberties, and higher education. The goal is to engage in a focused dialogue about the role of AI in everyday life across the Commonwealth and to define what responsible leadership looks like as these technologies continue to evolve.
Senator Moore emphasized, “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. This roundtable is about creating space for that dialogue, so innovation continues in ways the public can understand and trust.”
Why This Conversation, Why Now
With federal guidance on artificial intelligence evolving, states are increasingly responsible for the implementation of these technologies. Massachusetts has a longstanding tradition of pairing innovation with public purpose, establishing itself as a national leader in education, research, and technology-driven growth.
This roundtable intends to cultivate shared understanding among perspectives that rarely converge, aiming to build consensus before positions harden and policy paths are defined.
About the Collaborative Initiative
The session is convened in partnership with Human Edge™, a collaborative initiative founded by Strategic Growth & Innovation, LLC. This initiative connects leaders from higher education, industry, and civic sectors to promote responsible and human-centered AI adoption.
Shauna Conway, Founder of Human Edge, remarked, “Ethics and innovation are often framed as being in tension, but in practice they are deeply connected. 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 Roundtable
Key participants include:
- Elizabeth Mahoney, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs, Massachusetts High Technology Council
- Gideon Epstein, Technology for Liberty Policy Counsel, ACLU of Massachusetts
- Yunus Telliel, Assistant Professor, Humanities and Arts Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Secretary Jason Snyder, Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, Commonwealth CIO
- Tepring Piquado, Chief Executive Officer, National Science Policy Network
The Approach to the Roundtable
Rather than advancing specific policy proposals, the roundtable is designed as a facilitated dialogue focused on listening, learning, and surfacing shared principles. Topics will include:
- Transparency in AI use
- Human oversight in high-impact decisions
- Accountability aligned with existing laws
- Cross-sector collaboration to sustain public trust
The discussion will be framed and moderated by Conway, who brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology strategy, governance, and implementation across public and private organizations.
Looking Ahead
Following the session, a summary brief capturing key themes and insights will be shared with participants and the Senator’s office, supporting ongoing dialogue and future considerations.
This roundtable is intended as a starting point, not a conclusion, as Massachusetts’ leadership in artificial intelligence continues to evolve through thoughtful dialogue, principled experimentation, and shared responsibility.
About Human Edge
Human Edge™ is a collaborative initiative founded by Strategic Growth & Innovation, LLC that brings together higher education, industry, and civic leaders to advance responsible, human-centered approaches to artificial intelligence and innovation.
