Maine organizations, projects, and initiatives working on AI — distinct from MAC’s Communities of Practice. MAC does not endorse these organizations but provides links as a service to Mainers navigating the AI landscape.

Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence — Colby College

The first AI institute at a liberal arts college, founded in 2021 with a $30 million gift from the Davis family. Based in Waterville, the Davis Institute takes a cross-disciplinary approach to AI education and research, integrating AI into the liberal arts curriculum and hosting research collaborations with peer institutions. Recent work includes a $20 million NSF-funded project on AI for mental and behavioral health, in partnership with Brown University.

Maine Technology Institute (MTI)

An industry-led, publicly funded nonprofit whose mission is to stimulate the growth of technology-intensive companies in Maine. MTI funds AI startups through its investment programs and runs MERC-AI, which helps Maine small businesses build foundational AI knowledge through subsidized access to Coursera’s generative AI curriculum. MTI operates across seven targeted technology sectors and does not require a technical background to participate in its programs.

University of Maine AI Initiative

UMaine’s AI Initiative coordinates more than 40 affiliated faculty working on AI research across disciplines — from autonomous vehicles and forestry modeling to cancer detection and explainable AI. The initiative’s goal is to make Maine a nationally recognized hub for AI research, education, and application. The university also maintains an AI subject guide and resources for faculty navigating AI in teaching.