{"653692":{"#nid":"653692","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Wins Commerce Department Grant to Develop AI Manufacturing Economic Corridor","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of its $1 billion\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eda.gov\/arpa\/build-back-better\/\u0022\u003EBuild Back Better Regional Challenge\u003C\/a\u003E. Georgia Tech is one of 60 entities to be awarded funding to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to accelerate the rebuilding of their economies in the wake of the pandemic.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a leader in artificial intelligence, manufacturing research, and innovation-led economic development, Georgia Tech will utilize the grant for technical assistance to plan the Georgia Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Corridor (GA-AIM). Led by Thomas Kurfess and Aaron Stebner in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and in collaboration with local partners, GA-AIM will fill existing technology gaps, build a technological opportunity framework that includes underrepresented communities and rural Georgia counties, and better secure the state\u0026rsquo;s manufacturing infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s partners in the effort include the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/russellcenter.org\/\u0022\u003ERussell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.spelman.edu\/\u0022\u003ESpelman College\u003C\/a\u003E, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tcsg.edu\/\u0022\u003ETechnical College System of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E, and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.georgia.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Department of Economic Development\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are truly honored to be awarded this grant to implement our vision for manufacturing excellence in Georgia with our partners in artificial intelligence research,\u0026rdquo; said Chaouki T. Abdallah, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech. \u0026ldquo;Alongside\u0026nbsp;these important partners, the grant enables us to collaborate to include diverse backgrounds and perspectives in the process of learning, discovery, and creation, furthering Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s mission to expand access.\u0026rdquo;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and its partners will pair artificial intelligence and manufacturing research innovation to better secure the manufacturing ecosystem, expand opportunity to distressed and rural communities and underrepresented groups, and support business growth across the state.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We are thrilled to help communities work together \u0026mdash; in coalitions of government, nonprofits, academia, the private sector, and others \u0026mdash; to craft ambitious and regionally unique plans to rebuild their communities,\u0026rdquo; said Alejandra Y. Castillo, assistant secretary of commerce for the EDA. \u0026ldquo;These projects will help revitalize local economies and tackle our biggest challenges related to climate change, manufacturing, supply chains, and more. EDA is proud to ignite these plans and help communities nationwide build back better.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGA-AIM\u0026rsquo;s partners have created a complementary network of resources that focus on each partner organization\u0026rsquo;s expertise and mission.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;We have an opportunity to create meaningful impact at the intersection of AI and manufacturing,\u0026rdquo; said Stebner, who wrote the grant proposal that resulted in the $500,000 grant from EDA.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EKurfess, who serves as the regional economic competitiveness officer for the grant, added, \u0026ldquo;Bringing together AI and manufacturing will ensure a strong manufacturing base for Georgia that will leverage our well-trained workforce and our strong educational institutions that are participating in this effort. What excites me the most is that AI will augment our workforce, making it more valuable and productive, ensuring job growth for Georgia and the U.S. well into the future.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe GA-AIM effort takes a multifaceted approach to address its core goals:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFormation of the AI Manufacturing Pilot Facility:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/manufacturing\/ampf\u0022\u003EAdvanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;will be transformed into the AI Manufacturing Pilot Facility. The new facility allows for government pilot trials, cybersecurity games, and workforce training to innovate, transition, and create a workforce for AI manufacturing technologies without exposing the region\u0026rsquo;s supply chains to risk.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for AI Commercialization:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003ETwo of Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s commercialization programs \u0026mdash;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/venturelab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EVentureLab\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.icorpssouth.com\/\u0022\u003EI-Corps South\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026mdash; will create a center for the commercialization of AI manufacturing technologies into local and regional startups. Those commercialization efforts will occur through a quarterly cohort-based entrepreneurial training program built on the National Science Foundation\u0026rsquo;s I-Corps curriculum. The center will also provide training for instructors to build a sustainable workforce and will secure investment funding for these startups.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI Manufacturing Community Engagement\u003C\/strong\u003E: The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s chief economic development arm, will engage in focused outreach and technical assistance to small and mid-sized manufacturers and minority business enterprises through its Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Georgia Minority Business Development Agency Business Center programs. A third Enterprise Innovation Institute program, the Economic Development Lab, will focus on outreach and engagement in distressed and underserved parts of the state, create workforce development programs and implementation strategies, and attract outside investment.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI Manufacturing Rural Supply Chain\u003C\/strong\u003E: The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute will study the impact of automation technologies, build automation solutions tailored for rural manufacturers, and create programs that lower the barrier for rural manufacturers\u0026rsquo; access to use the AI Manufacturing Pilot Facility.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI InVenture K-12 Experiences:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003ETo ensure a technically capable workforce in the coming years, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s InVenture Prize and the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing will expand their emphasis to rural and underserved areas of the state by piloting a rural regional event with a region-specific prize. They will also create supplemental lessons centered on AI and data science that will be part of a K-12 InVenture Prize curriculum website.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpelman College\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVirtual Reality for AI Workforce Training Innovation:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Spelman\u0026rsquo;s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.spelman.edu\/about-us\/innovation-lab\u0022\u003EInnovation Lab\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;will develop virtual reality technology for training or retraining the GA-AIM workforce to make workers comfortable with new technologies before deployment in real-world applications.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERussell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELaunchPad AI Innovation Studio:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EThe Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs will create the 5,000-square-foot LaunchPad AI Innovation Studio to provide prototyping and proof of concept development of physical products. Black entrepreneurs will be given access to equipment, training, and mentoring. LaunchPad AI will also be open to AI InVenture teams from Atlanta\u0026rsquo;s K-12 public schools, with special programs designed for startup mentoring and seed funding for K-12 entrepreneurs.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETechnical College System of Georgia (TCSG)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI Manufacturing Technical Workforce Development:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EAs Georgia\u0026rsquo;s technical college coordinating organization, the TCSG will design, develop, and implement curricula at community colleges that include apprenticeships at AI-MPF and virtual reality modules from Spelman. The TCSG will also provide regional entry points for dual enrollment and traditional students to AI manufacturing technical education at certificate and degree levels. Graduates will have exit points that lead directly to careers in the industry or provide for the continuation of education and higher degree attainment through articulation agreements among GA-AIM members.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith this grant, Tech becomes a finalist for significantly more funding to implement projects that support an industry sector and help communities withstand future economic shocks.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;GA-AIM is in strategic alignment with the EDA\u0026rsquo;s funding priorities, including manufacturing, workforce development, equity, and technology-based economic development,\u0026rdquo; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/david-bridges\u0022\u003EDavid Bridges\u003C\/a\u003E, vice president of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech and co-author of the grant proposal. \u0026ldquo;With manufacturing employing more than 400,000 people across the state and contributing more than $61 billion in economic activity, it\u0026rsquo;s critical that we leverage the best ideas and programs through our coalition of partners.\u0026rdquo; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E###\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nThe Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students, representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning.\u0026nbsp;As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the U.S. Economic Development Administration\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nThe mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation\u0026#39;s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWriter: P\u0026eacute;ralte C. Paul I\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:peralte.paul@comm.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eperalte.paul@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;I 404.316.1210\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMedia contact: Steven Norris |\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/stephen.norris@comm.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Estephen.norris@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E| 404.281.3343\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Georgia Institute of Technology was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of its $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. "}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2021-12-14 19:45:44","changed_gmt":"2021-12-15 21:19:33","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-12-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-12-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"653665":{"id":"653665","type":"image","title":"Commerce Dept Announcement - 1","body":null,"created":"1639431968","gmt_created":"2021-12-13 21:46:08","changed":"1639603450","gmt_changed":"2021-12-15 21:24:10","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247942","name":"c1Z4mMRI.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/c1Z4mMRI.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/c1Z4mMRI.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":608867,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/c1Z4mMRI.jpeg?itok=nGKDAXNY"}},"653666":{"id":"653666","type":"image","title":"Commerce Dept Announcement - 2","body":null,"created":"1639433799","gmt_created":"2021-12-13 22:16:39","changed":"1639433799","gmt_changed":"2021-12-13 22:16:39","alt":"gina raimondo, \u00c0ngel Cabrera, Lindsey Lanzillotta","file":{"fid":"247943","name":"6Ryimsmg.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/6Ryimsmg.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/6Ryimsmg.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":614986,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/6Ryimsmg.jpeg?itok=07B158TK"}},"653669":{"id":"653669","type":"image","title":"Commerce Dept Announcement - 3","body":null,"created":"1639436984","gmt_created":"2021-12-13 23:09:44","changed":"1639581235","gmt_changed":"2021-12-15 15:13:55","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247945","name":"77R0hxqc.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/77R0hxqc.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/77R0hxqc.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":604310,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/77R0hxqc.jpeg?itok=mRabInSz"}},"653670":{"id":"653670","type":"image","title":"Commerce Dept Announcement - 4","body":null,"created":"1639438522","gmt_created":"2021-12-13 23:35:22","changed":"1639581749","gmt_changed":"2021-12-15 15:22:29","alt":"","file":{"fid":"247946","name":"CrYW9p7w.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/CrYW9p7w.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/CrYW9p7w.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":424341,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/CrYW9p7w.jpeg?itok=-lUr6GG5"}}},"media_ids":["653665","653666","653669","653670"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"186870","name":"go-imat"},{"id":"186857","name":"go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EP\u0026eacute;ralte C. Paul\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404.316.1210\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte.paul@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}