UConn, State Embrace AI and Quantum Potential – UConn Today

Report on Connecticut’s Economic Development and Workforce Transformation in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: UConn Economic Development Forum

On November 13, the University of Connecticut (UConn) hosted its second Economic Development Forum in Stamford. The event convened leaders from state and municipal government, academia, and the technology industry to analyze the state’s evolving workforce needs, particularly in the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology. The discussions underscored a multi-stakeholder commitment to advancing several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG 4: Quality Education – Building a Future-Ready Workforce

The forum highlighted Connecticut’s strategic efforts to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, directly aligning with SDG 4. Initiatives focus on equipping the workforce with skills for the future.

• The University of Connecticut is leading collaborative state-wide efforts to educate workers with advanced skills required for the evolving economy.
• UConn President Radenka Maric noted the university’s significant contribution, having educated over 50% of Connecticut’s engineers.
• The UConn Stamford campus provides over 3,000 students with access to real-world experiences through internships and partnerships with local companies in thriving sectors like digital media and finance.
• Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons stated that future projections indicate nine out of ten local jobs will require advanced technical skills, reinforcing the need for continuous education and training initiatives.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Discussions centered on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, in line with SDG 8. The rise of AI and quantum technologies is seen as a pivotal moment for economic expansion.

1. The rapid growth of AI and quantum industries presents significant opportunities for economic advancement and job creation in high-value sectors.
2. Mayor Simmons characterized the current era as a “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” driven by a fusion of technologies that will reshape work and create new ladders of economic opportunity.
3. Elizabeth Lattanzio, Product Director at Indeed, reported that skills in AI and quantum are increasingly in demand by employers. She compared AI literacy today to the necessity of Microsoft Excel skills two decades ago.
4. Lattanzio also provided reassurance that AI is not projected to replace jobs in the foreseeable future, particularly those requiring human interaction, but will rather augment worker capabilities, contributing to higher-skilled, more productive employment.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Positioning Connecticut as a Tech Hub

The forum detailed Connecticut’s strategy to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation, which is the core of SDG 9.

• President Maric identified the transformative potential of quantum computing and AI to accelerate discovery and progress in critical state industries such as healthcare and finance.
• Connecticut’s compact geography and proximity to major tech centers like New York City were cited as a strategic advantage for fostering a connected and collaborative innovation ecosystem.
• Christopher Mende, Google’s Director of Customer Engineering, encouraged the adoption of AI platforms like Gemini to build effective and cohesive technological solutions that address user needs.
• The state is recognized as being “way ahead of the curve” in developing a talent ecosystem for AI, leveraging its highly educated populace and established presence in regulated industries.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – A Collaborative Approach to Success

A recurring theme was the critical importance of strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development, as outlined in SDG 17. The state’s success is predicated on collaboration.

• The forum itself exemplified this goal by uniting key stakeholders from academia, government, and the private sector (including Google and Indeed).
• President Maric identified “collaboration and partnership” as the essential keywords for the state’s strategy in capitalizing on the AI and quantum revolutions.
• Mayor Simmons emphasized the expansion of workforce development partnerships and job training initiatives between UConn and regional businesses.
• The growth of the UConn Stamford campus into a “destination campus” was attributed to its deep integration and partnership with the local community and corporate entities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues and initiatives that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article’s central theme is UConn’s role in educating the workforce with skills needed for the evolving economy, particularly in AI and quantum technology.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The discussion revolves around economic development, creating job opportunities, and ensuring the workforce is prepared for the “fourth Industrial Revolution” to foster economic productivity.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The focus on advancing AI and quantum technologies, described as transformative industries, directly relates to fostering innovation and upgrading technological capabilities.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article repeatedly emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the university, state, municipalities, and private tech companies like Google and Indeed to achieve workforce and economic development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states that UConn is leading the effort “to educate workers with the skills they need to advance in an evolving economy.” It highlights the need for employees to be “more tech savvy than ever before” and mentions the projection that “nine out of 10 local jobs will require workers with advanced technical skills.” This directly aligns with increasing relevant technical skills for employment.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…”
     
     Explanation: The article discusses how AI and quantum technologies are “transforming the workforce” and creating a “fourth Industrial Revolution.” The focus on these high-tech industries is a clear strategy for technological upgrading and innovation to drive economic productivity and growth in Connecticut.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation…”
     
     Explanation: The entire forum discussed in the article is about how “AI and quantum are transforming the workforce.” The article highlights Connecticut’s potential for “advancements” in these fields and UConn’s role in educating engineers, which is fundamental to enhancing research and upgrading the state’s technological capabilities.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.”
     
     Explanation: The article underscores that “The keywords for our state are collaboration and partnership.” It details the collaboration between “State, municipal, University, and tech industry leaders” and specifically mentions “workforce development partnerships and job trading initiatives between UConn and businesses.” The involvement of Google and Indeed in the forum is a prime example of such a public-private partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

1. For SDG Target 4.4:
   • Indicator: Proportion of youth and adults with relevant technical skills.
     
     Evidence: The article implies this through several data points and statements: “More than 50% of Connecticut’s engineers were educated at UConn,” the projection that “nine out of 10 local jobs will require workers with advanced technical skills,” and the rising demand for skills in AI and quantum. The “large increase in applications and enrollment” at UConn Stamford also serves as a proxy indicator for the growing number of people seeking these skills.
2. For SDG Target 8.2:
   • Indicator: Growth rate of real GDP per employed person or overall economic impact.
     
     Evidence: The article directly mentions UConn’s “$8.7 billion economic impact” on the state, which is a clear measure of economic productivity. The description of Stamford as having the state’s “fastest growing tech sectors” also implies a positive trend in economic growth driven by technology.
3. For SDG Target 9.5:
   • Indicator: Proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added.
     
     Evidence: While not providing a specific number, the article’s focus on the “skyrocketing” AI and quantum industries and Connecticut’s potential to make “advancements” in these fields suggests an effort to increase the value of the high-tech sector. The presence of and partnerships with companies like Google and Indeed further indicate a growing high-tech ecosystem.
4. For SDG Target 17.17:
   • Indicator: Number and type of public-private partnerships.
     
     Evidence: The article explicitly describes the partnerships between UConn (public university), Stamford (municipality), the state, and tech companies like Google and Indeed (private sector). The call to “continue to expand workforce development partnerships and job trading initiatives” directly points to tracking the number and effectiveness of these collaborations.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: today.uconn.edu