{"id":33672,"date":"2019-06-07T08:58:21","date_gmt":"2019-06-07T15:58:21","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-05-31T16:32:13","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T23:32:13","slug":"louisville-signs-digital-alliance-with-microsoft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cm-edgetun.pages.dev\/en-us\/industry\/blog\/government\/2019\/06\/07\/louisville-signs-digital-alliance-with-microsoft\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisville signs digital alliance with Microsoft"},"content":{"rendered":"

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At Louisville’s Entrepreneur Center, Mayor Greg Fischer announced a three-year digital alliance with Microsoft to boost the region\u2019s digital transformation and accelerate AI practices. The remarks were part of a kick-off event for a weekend of start-up activities at the center, which supports the growth of local tech companies. The alliance will focus on strengthening the region\u2019s ability to navigate its major industries\u2019 digital transformation by skilling the population in the key digital fronts of the future: artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and data science.<\/p>\n

Upon signing Mayor Fischer said, \u201cArtificial intelligence is the next frontier in technology, and through this collaboration with Microsoft, we will prepare our workforce for the tech revolution and create economic opportunity, while not losing sight of the need for equity within economic growth. We are excited to collaborate with Microsoft to ensure Louisville residents and businesses are ready for the future economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a physical hub in the Entrepreneur Center in Louisville\u2019s Innovation District, the alliance will encompass public events, technology investment, and skills training for all ages throughout the greater Louisville area, with a population of approximately 620,000 people.<\/p>\n

Microsoft will collaborate with the city of Louisville, the Brookings Institute, and the University of Louisville as well as other local partners in this wide-reaching public-private initiative to increase digital skills along the full continuum of the educational pipeline.<\/p>\n

Also presenting at the event was Louisville Chief of Civic Innovation and Technology Grace Simrall who said, \u201cIn essence, the goal of this collaboration is to create a regional hub, a center of gravity for AI and IoT.\u201d<\/p>\n

A changing landscape<\/h2>\n

In recent years, some 12% of jobs in the Louisville region have been in manufacturing, employing over 250,000 workers. Some 285,000 people in the region are currently working in healthcare and education. As digital transformation brings increased efficiency to these and other industries, there will be a growing demand for workers who command strong digital skills. In addition to manufacturing and healthcare, AI will bring new opportunities in fields ranging from public safety to smart building design and construction. The alliance will help bridge the digital divide to help communities thrive in the coming job market.<\/p>\n

Focus on AI<\/h2>\n

The digital alliance will work to create a comprehensive strategy focusing on the impact of AI, IoT, and data science and on how to help communities adapt to them. All components of the digital alliance will emphasize building people\u2019s agility with these technologies. Four fellows will be sponsored to act as ambassadors for the city\u2019s AI initiatives within industry and non-profit organizations. Public events will include ideation and design-thinking workshops and symposiums to explore what an AI future looks like.<\/p>\n

Full lifecycle educational pipeline<\/h2>\n

The digital alliance will take a multi-pronged approach to reach people at various points along the continuum of job readiness, from familiarizing children with the basic concepts of digital literacy to empowering current or returning members of the workforce to reskill and upskill for the new economy.<\/p>\n

Empowering youth<\/h2>\n

The alliance will provide virtual and in-person programs for youth in the schools and during public events activities for the entire K-12 and P-20 learning spectrum. Programs will include one-time public events such as youth esports and robotics competitions and longer programs including the following.<\/p>\n