I am back from Think 2025, the annual strategy-oriented IBM conference. The Hynes Conference Center, located in the heart of Boston, MA, USA, hosted the conference from May 5th to May 8th.

IBM offers two leading conferences yearly: Think and TechXchange, which can easily be translated as “Brain & Strategy” and “Geeks & Nerds.” If I had the resources, I would do both, but as I am helping enterprises build their vision and roadmap, you probably understand why Think has my choice.

One of the reasons I like conferences such as Think is the opportunity to hear inspiring people. I won’t cover the conference in detail; check out what my friend Sanjeev Mohan has to say about it.

This year, I was lucky to hear and see Governor Maura Healey in person. I did not know much about Gov. Healey before. Obviously, we share some political beliefs, but this did not prepare me for what an incredible person she is.

Stephanie Mehta, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer of Inc. and Fast Company magazines, conducted the interview.

Governor Maura Healey (left, naturally) and Stephanie Mehta at Think 2025.

Massachusetts is doubling down on its ambition to lead the artificial intelligence revolution, and it’s doing so with a signature blend of innovation, collaboration, and self-aware humor.

At the heart of this initiative is the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC) — a name so lengthy that Governor Maura Healey couldn’t resist poking fun at it during her announcement. Despite the tongue-twister title, this Holyoke-based facility is set to become the epicenter of the state’s AI endeavors.

Governor Healey unveiled a substantial $31 million state grant to expand access to sustainable high-performance computing, a critical resource for AI innovation. This investment will establish the Artificial Intelligence Compute Resources (AICR) environment at the MGHPCC, providing essential infrastructure for AI research and development. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving six prominent universities — Boston University, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, UMass, and Yale — working alongside the state to propel Massachusetts to the forefront of applied AI innovation. This investment comes in addition to the joint investments, announced last December, from Massachusetts and MGHPCC partner universities that are expected to exceed $100 million over the next five years as it scales.

In an era where federal support for science and technology can be uncertain, Massachusetts is taking the initiative to foster public-private partnerships that drive progress. The state’s proactive approach includes exploring collaborations with industry leaders like IBM and Red Hat to create startup accelerator programs, further solidifying its commitment to AI advancement.

By investing in infrastructure, talent, and collaborative ecosystems, Massachusetts is not only embracing the future of AI but also ensuring that it does so with a sense of community, resilience, and a dash of humor.

Governor Healey also discussed efficiency and the government’s role in balancing resource use, a subtle and powerful message targeted at the federal government. She is the proud descendant of John Hancock and Samuel Adams.

As I walked out of Think 2025, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of pride. Pride in being a long-standing & Lifetime IBM Champion, yes, but more so, pride in being part of a community that refuses to sit still while the future is being written.

Watching Governor Maura Healey speak about AI, equity, and efficiency with such clarity and conviction was energizing. She reminded us that progress doesn’t have to be cold or corporate — it can be human, humorous, and deeply rooted in public purpose. Her bold investment in the Massachusetts AI Hub shows what’s possible when government, academia, and industry come together, not in silos, but in sync. Having tried that earlier in my career, I can relate to the complexity of the task.

As someone who’s spent years advocating for open ecosystems, ethical innovation, and meaningful collaboration, it’s encouraging to see IBM at the heart of this movement — leaning into partnerships, enabling startups, and empowering researchers. Being an IBM Champion means standing at the forefront of technology and standing up for progress that serves everyone.

And yes, even if “Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center” is a mouthful, it’s a name I’ll gladly champion if it means powering the next wave of responsible AI.

Boston, you’ve inspired me once again.

Read more about it:

The I in IBM stands for Inspiration, and the M for Massachusetts was originally published in jgpai on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *