InnovateMA and the AI for Impact Co-op
In the AI for Impact Co-op Program, students work full-time on experiential AI projects for social good. In the Spring 2024 semester, twelve AI for Impact students are working alongside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as part of InnovateMA, using generative AI to support the MBTA, MassHealth, The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and MassDOT with impactful projects that will improve the delivery of services and programs for Massachusetts residents.
In this pioneering “product-based learning” program, teams wield AI as a tool for transformative innovation, turning ideas into measurable impacts in collaboration with the communities they are serving and under the expert guidance of seasoned professionals. This program builds on our twenty-years of experience building civic technologies with governments, civil society organizations and communities.
How this Experiential AI Program Works
Students use artificial intelligence and human-centered design to deliver cutting-edge projects that improve lives.
- Six month, paid, full-time job
- Projects centered around social change
- In collaboration with public interest partners
- Human-centered co-design with impacted communities
- Professional technology, product and community engagement mentors
- Deep-dive skill-building workshops to build the AI talent pipeline
Our goal? To deliver working products in six months and create the next generation of AI-enabled leaders.
News from AI for Impact
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Northeastern’s CivicConnect Team Builds Congressional Office Chatbot Prototype
POPVOX Foundation commends the “CivicConnect” student team from Northeastern University’s Burnes Center for Social Change on the first Congressional office chatbot prototype, leveraging OpenAI’s GPT-4…
Jan. 08, 2024 | | POPVOX Foundation -
AI for Impact Trip to the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
Burnes Center’s AI for Impact Co-ops went on a trip to the Executive Office of Technology Security and Services.
Apr. 04, 2024 | | Burne’s Center -
AI for Impact Trip to the Museum of Science, Boston
Burnes Center’s AI for Impact Co-ops went on a trip to the Museum of Science to see the AI exhibits.
Feb. 12, 2024 | | Burne’s Center -
Gov. Healey launches AI task force to boost competitiveness in tech
Gov. Healey announced a partnership with Northeastern University’s Burnes Center for Social Change to develop AI tools for state government agencies.
Feb. 14, 2024 | | Boston Globe -
Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Establishing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategic Task Force
Governor Healey announces InnovateMA, a nation leading The Burnes Center for Social Change program that partners Northeastern University AI for Impact co-op students with Massachusetts…
Feb. 14, 2024 | | Governor Healey’s Office -
AI4 Impact: Transforming Higher Education through Experiential AI Learning
In the dynamic landscape of higher education, the AI4Impact Co-op Program at Northeastern University emerges as a pioneering initiative, reshaping the student experience and fueling…
On: Jan 17 -
Harnessing AI to Improve Government Services and Customer Experience
In her testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on January 10, Prof Beth Noveck highlighted the work of AI4Impact coop students…
On: Jan 10 -
How AI could restore our faith in democracy
In this piece for Fast Company, Burnes Center director Beth Noveck discusses the AI4Impact Unlocking Literacy project
On: Jan 09
Project Gallery
AI-EP
AI-EP uses generative AI to translate and summarize a family’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Partner: Innovate Public Schools/AI-EP
CivicConnect
CivicConnect uses AI to improve how Members of Congress communicate with constituents.
Partner: PopVox Foundation/The GovLab
ACHelper
An AI-enabled chatbot to guide families through the process of enrolling in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program that enables low-income households to save on the purchase of a computer and Internet access.
Partner: Fair Count
PolicySynth
PolicySynth uses AI to make it easier to create well-researched online engagements. This national engagement asks families to identify why we are struggling to teach kids to read in the United States.
Partner: Museum of Science, Citizens Foundation
MBTA Info Hub
The MBTA’s RIDE Support tool enhances the capabilities of customer service representatives, enabling swifter and more precise responses to inquiries. This tool aims to significantly boost the efficiency of the RIDE support system, ultimately improving accessibility to essential information and rules for RIDE users.
Partner: MBTA – The Ride
MassHealth Policy Hub
The MassHealth Enrollment Center (MEC) Knowledge Tool supports workers by providing efficient access to updated, accurate policy and procedural information. This AI-powered tool streamlines the process of addressing both simple and complex constituent issues, enhancing the overall productivity and service quality.
Partner: MassHealth
EEA Grant Navigator
The EEA Grants Navigator aims to make the grant research and discovery process for the residents of Massachusetts efficient and equitable. This tool will consolidate key grant information using AI-enhanced search.
Partner: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
MassDOT Policy Hub
A Policy Navigator chatbot designed to empower design engineers in the MassDOT Highway Division, enabling them to efficiently query and interact with department manuals & documentation. This tool aids in the design of quicker and safer infrastructure projects for Massachusetts’ resident commuters.
Partner: Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
AI Sandbox
Unlock the power of AI without the complexity. CommonwealthAI Sandbox offers a secure, user-friendly environment for employees to explore, test, and innovate with AI models, ensuring data privacy and simplicity at its core. Your gateway to AI innovation, safeguarded.
Partner: Executive Office of Technology Services and Security
ACHelper
Inefficiencies and complexities in the application process for Internet Connectivity Benefits hinders access to essential digital services for eligible individuals
Partner: Fair Count
Key Statistics
37
students working on real world generative AI projects
8
seasoned mentors, including the former tech advisor to the CEO of Google and the CEO/President of Citizens.is
9
client projects
AI4Impact Co-Ops
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Etta Brooks
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Diane Grant
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Vanessa Guan
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Namitha J C
Web development Co-Op -
Rachel Kahn
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Dhruv Kamalesh Kumar
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Sai Panindra Santosh Kumar Majji
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Alayna Schwarzer
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Rudra Sett
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Ria Singh
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Briana Torres
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Jasmehar Vohra
InnovateMA Co-Op -
Kane Xu
InnovateMA Co-Op
AI for Impact Team
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Beth Noveck
Director, The Burnes Center for Social Change -
Santiago “Santi” Garces
Technical Director -
Steven Kadish
Senior Fellow -
Róbert Bjarnason
Senior Fellow -
Henri Hammond-Paul
Fellow -
Anirudh Dinesh
Research Fellow -
Cory Ondrejka
Senior Fellow -
Dane Gambrell
Research Fellow -
David Fields
Professor of Practice and Senior Fellow -
Sofía Bosch Gómez
Assistant Professor and Fellow -
Dan Jackson
Senior Fellow and Director of NuLawLab
Are you an employer interested in developing an AI for Impact project? Reach out to David Fields at [email protected]
Are you a student interested in applying?
Reach out to Henri Hammond-Paul at [email protected]
Are you interested in supporting this unique program? Reach out to Kristin Barrali at [email protected]