In the late 19th century, Hartford built a cutting-edge reputation in manufacturing becoming one of the wealthiest cities in the country, crowned by the assembly-line innovation of Samuel Colt’s firearms factory.
Well over a century later, the city now is aiming in a big way to build on recent efforts to again raise its profile as a center of innovation — this time in technology. Hartford — now among the poorest cities in the nation — is aspiring to become a center for what is expected to become the most consequential technology ever: artificial intelligence.
Hartford is among more than 30 applicants — municipalities, colleges and universities and economic development groups — vying for funding in a $100 million state program to promote the development of what are considered key innovative industries. Those include biotechnology, financial technology, insurance technology, and advanced manufacturing.
