Maine AAIA Chapter
Northern Maine (Aroostook County)
In the expansive landscapes of Aroostook County, AI innovation is taking root through forward-thinking redevelopment efforts at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone. The Green 4 Maine Campus and Innovation Hub, spanning 450 acres, serves as a catalyst for economic revitalization, hosting centers of excellence in advanced applied AI technologies alongside renewable energy initiatives. A landmark development is the launch of Maine's first AI-focused data center by Loring LiquidCool Data Center in partnership with LiquidCool Solutions, set to open in early 2026. This facility, leasing 115,000 square feet and utilizing patented immersion cooling technology, will support high-performance computing for AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and cloud services, powered in part by sustainable hydropower from New Brunswick. These efforts not only address the region's need for job creation and infrastructure but also position Northern Maine as a hub for clean, energy-efficient AI infrastructure, fostering collaborations that could scale power capacity by hundreds of megawatts to meet growing computational demands.
Bangor/Central Maine
Central Maine's AI ecosystem thrives at the University of Maine (UMaine), where interdisciplinary initiatives are driving research, education, and real-world applications across diverse sectors. The UMaine AI Initiative, a university-wide program centered in Orono, unites over 40 faculty members from fields like computing, engineering, health sciences, and social sciences to establish Maine as a global AI hub, with strengths in machine learning, cyber-physical systems, and ethical AI deployment. Complementing this is the UMaine Portland Gateway in Bangor, which hosts interactive sessions on AI's impact on Maine's labor market, bringing together business leaders, educators, policymakers, and students to explore skills development and workforce transformation. Educational offerings include the historic MaineSAIL (Maine Software Agents and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory), which has pioneered agent-based AI for autonomous systems like underwater vehicles, alongside graduate programs such as the Master of Science in Computer Science with AI emphases, and Ph.D. tracks incorporating AI theory, natural language processing, and distributed systems. These programs, supported by monthly webinars attracting over 1,200 participants, emphasize practical innovation, from AI-enhanced oceanographic networks to ethical pedagogy in generative AI tools like ChatGPT, preparing students for collaborative ties with industry and government.
Portland/Southern Maine
Southern Maine, particularly Portland, pulses with AI energy as a burgeoning tech corridor anchored by world-class academic and industry players. The Roux Institute at Northeastern University leads with its Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, a hybrid program blending online and on-site learning to equip professionals with technical, ethical, and interdisciplinary expertise in machine learning, robotics, and human-centric AI; it offers paid co-ops with over 200 partners like L.L.Bean, WEX, and MaineHealth, alongside the MPS in Applied Machine Intelligence for sectors like healthcare and finance. Northeastern's broader AI portfolio includes the AI in Translational Healthcare (AI-TH@Roux) initiative, advancing biostatistics and human-AI interactions for medical diagnostics. Complementing this are accelerators like the Blue wAIve program, a 16-week hybrid effort by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Roux Institute, targeting ocean-tech startups using AI for climate solutions and providing consulting, workshops, and access to Portland facilities. The local startup scene features innovators like Freeport Metrics, specializing in generative AI integration for enterprises; CampTek Software, offering AI-driven robotic process automation; and Coria, delivering AI-enhanced digital strategies for life sciences. Broader initiatives, such as the Portland AI Summit by IEEE-USA and Maine Technology Institute, convene researchers, investors, and small businesses to harness federal resources, while companies like Twenty Ideas and ESM Global Consulting provide custom AI development and cybersecurity. Together, these elements create a vibrant network for talent-building, entrepreneurship, and sustainable AI applications in Maine's coastal economy.
Upcoming Events
See all events here.
Featured News
Featured Members
Maine Chapter President
Jordan W. Henry
-
Jordan W. Henry, is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of driving impactful change in healthcare and emergency management across government, private, and non-profit sectors.
As the founder and Chief AI Ethicist of Veritas AI Consulting Firm, Jordan guides healthcare organizations in navigating the critical landscape of AI governance, ethics, compliance, and operational strategy. Jordan’s commitment to progress extends to his role as a board member for multiple organizations innovating and scaling solutions in healthcare, emergency management, and AI governance.
Jordan is passionate about driving healthcare innovation, shaping policy, and ensuring the safe and ethical application of AI in healthcare. He holds a B.S. in Public Health from Rutgers University, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University, a Masters in Organizational Leadership from UMaine, and is a Fellow of the Academy for Healthcare Management.