The Massachusetts AI Hub has selected the vendors that will build the key computational infrastructure for the state's AI initiatives — and one of them is a local, woman-led company.
Read this story at the Boston Business Journal.
Cambridge Computer, which is based in Waltham despite its name, will contribute to create the backbone compute resource for AI innovation in the Bay State. Specifically, Cambridge Computer will provide integration services for the systems manufactured by Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE: DELL) and Vast.
State officials announced the vendor selection at an event at Boston University on Friday.
Chip giant Nvidia, the world's most valuable company by market capitalization, is also one of the selected vendors, according to Eric Paley, the state's secretary for economic development.
The AI resource, named Artificial Intelligence Compute Resources, or AIRC, will be accessible to startups, businesses, researchers and educators needing computing power for AI innovation.
AIRC will be based at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, or MGHPCC, in Holyoke, and is slated to be powered by 100 percent carbon-free energy from Holyoke Gas and Electric’s hydroelectric facility.
The project is funded through a $31 million state grant from the Massachusetts AI Hub, which Gov. Maura Healey announced in May this year, and matching investment by Boston University, Harvard University, MIT, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts and Yale University. By 2030, the total funding is expected to exceed $120 million, according to a release.
John Goodhue, executive director of MGHPCC, told the Business Journal that Cambridge Computer was selected among 25 applications, all of which had an in-state component.
What made Cambridge Computer stand put was its "unique mix of people who are business savvy and have technical expertise," he said.
Goodhue said that it's hard to describe specifically what each company is doing as part of the AIRC project, as they all work as a team. However, Dell is focusing on sourcing the computers, Nvidia will provide the chips that go inside those computers, Vast is sourcing its storage and Cambridge Computer is focusing on the software component, in addition to be the "glue" among all partners, he explained.
Jacob Farmer and Deena Berton founded Cambridge Computer in 1991. Since then, the company grew to just under 100 employees.
Berton, the company's current CEO, received her MBA from Cornell’s Johnson School of Management as well as undergraduate degrees in mathematics and economics.
At the Boston University event, Berton said that Cambridge Computer counts among its clients all six university partners of AIRC, as part of a roster of clients that includes over 90 higher education institutions nationwide. One of her scientists, Chris Simmons, said he used to work at MGHPCC.
"Universities ... deserve enormous appreciation from everybody in this country," she said.
Sabrina Mansur, director of the Massachusetts AI Hub, told the Business Journal that AIRC will be available to the community in a few months, for free.
"They're hooking up wires," she said.
Community members interested in accessing AIRC should reach out to the Massachusetts AI Hub. The number of members who can use AIRC at the same time varies widely depending on the size of the project, she added.
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