Looking To The Future: Mayor Wu And Others Discuss AI

InnovationAILooking To The Future: Mayor Wu And Others Discuss AIByJohn Werner,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I am an MIT Senior Fellow & Lecturer, 5x-founder & VC investing in AIFollow AuthorMay 15, 2026, 12:35pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.PanelJohn WernerIt’s spring again, and MIT people are meeting to talk about the way forward with AI. In general, I am so glad that we have a great roster, not only on the state level, with Gov. Healey and her team, but at the city level, with Mayor Michelle Wu, who has pioneered policies like the Boston Green New Deal and the Boston Trust Act, while remaining involved and interested in being early and proactive on technology.And then you have private sector figures, like Noubar Afeyan of Flagship Pioneering, who has been active in imagining with us at my organization, Imagination in Action, about where things are headed.Many of these notables were assembled this week as we met to brainstorm AI in the Boston area, and the mayor herself gave some remarks.Stephen Chan from the Mayor's office with Ashley Stolba and Rebecca who work at Flagship PioneeringJohn WernerFrom Mayor WuThe mayor started with a number of shout-outs to people involved in decision-making locally, mentioning a trip oversees with some of these advisors and other participants. She also included her staffers.“I would not be here without the members of my team who have helped make today possible, and so much of the work that we're doing,” Wu said, then starting into a framing of what’s ahead. “I won't go through the many, many ways in which Boston has defined the history of this country … we are here today, and I hope we will continue gathering, because we're going to turn big ideas into action, and the best way to source those big ideas, and to ensure that they translate into the collaboration n...