Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (MAITC): Networking and Mentoring Core

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PROJECT SUMMARY: Networking & Mentoring Core Within the Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (MAITC), the activities of the Networking and Mentoring Core will foster the development of high-impact project pilot teams, a research community dedicated to the MAITC’s goals and the next generation of individuals inspired to work at the intersection of AI, technology, Aging and AD/ADRD care. All networking and mentoring activities will be structured to help nurture the development of researchers from underrepresented minorities; underrepresented genders in their fields; people with disabilities; and those from socially, culturally, economically, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. In support of these goals, the Networking and Mentoring Core has three aims. The first aim is to establish and grow a multidisciplinary network of researchers and practitioners using AI-enhanced technologies to support Healthy Aging and AD/ADRD care. The Networking and Mentoring Core will play an integral role in forming and supporting a multidisciplinary community with national scope connecting stakeholders (older adults, lay caregivers, and clinicians, health systems and service providers), technology-focused and clinical researchers, industry partners, investors, the NIA Small Business Office and others working to advance the goals of developing, translating, validating and deploying emerging AI-enabled technologies to support healthy aging and AD/ADRD care. Activities will include numerous multidisciplinary networking events, the development of a robust online community and directory of research expertise, technology showcase events, and supports for the creation of multidisciplinary pilot project teams. The Networking and Mentoring Core’s work will also focus on maintaining strong within-center and cross-center synergy to result in leadership, graduate students and trainees, and staff working cohesively toward the MAITC’s shared vision of supporting pilot project teams. The second aim is to provide technology, needs assessment, user assessment and technology deployment training for individuals interested in conducting work aligned with the MAITC’s goals so they have the knowledge and resources to conduct high-quality research and integrate technologies based on MAITC research into real- world settings. The Networking and Mentoring Core will also provide robust mentoring for pilot grant awardees, junior faculty, and students to inspire the next generation of investigators to pursue careers at the intersection of technology and health. The third aim is to provide thought leadership in MAITC’s focus areas via showcase videos, thematic whitepapers, journal special issues, and conference sessions which highlight successful application of AI-enabled technologies to support Healthy Aging and AD/ADRD care, as well as identify key gaps where there is significant stakeholder need but no viable technologies to address these needs, thereby catalyzing new areas of research.