Tulsa Aims to Become a Hub for Responsible AI with $51 Million Grant from Federal Economic Development Administration
Tulsa Innovation Labs recently received a $51 million grant from the Federal Economic Development Administration to develop new drone and AI technologies, as well as train a workforce in this emerging field. The grant will be used to build physical infrastructure to facilitate the testing of drones, which is expected to attract companies interested in developing and testing these systems. This will ultimately generate new job opportunities and position Tulsa as a leading hub for responsible AI in the country.
Tyrance Billingsly, who heads Black Tech Street, expressed excitement about leveraging the grant to establish an AI center of excellence in Greenwood. The unspecified partner joining forces with him aims to create a leading hub for responsible AI in the city. The center will consist of physical space and programming aimed at positioning Greenwood as a top destination for tech innovation.
Last year, Tulsa was designated as a “Tech Hub” by the Biden Administration, which played a role in the city receiving the competitive grant. As one of a dozen cities selected for funding in the program, Tulsa is poised to capitalize on its historical expertise in industries like aerospace, manufacturing, defense, and energy. Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation Labs, emphasized the opportunity to foster innovation in these key sectors.
The Atlas School is planning to expand its offerings to support other grant recipients and bridge the talent gap for new jobs generated by this project. Libby Ediger from the Atlas School mentioned that they will use their focus on software training programs to ensure that these new jobs can flourish in Tulsa.
Overall, this project represents an exciting opportunity for Tulsa to continue building on its strong foundation of technology innovation while creating new job opportunities and establishing itself as a leading hub for responsible AI development.
