Page 47 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

■ GEORGIA-BASED CALENDLY’S SIMPLE, AUTOMATED SCHEDULING TOOL; PHOTO CREDIT: CALENDLY

SalesLoft, Calendly, and Bakkt – have all reached this unicorn status Georgia’s diverse industry base provides ample opportunities for growth
■ DIGITAL FABRICATION LIBRARY AT GEORGIA TECH; PHOTO CREDIT: GEORGIA TECH in a short time shows the tremendous tech hub that both the City of and embracement of new technologies like artificial intelligence. From
Atlanta and State of Georgia have become. retail, to health care, to financial technology, aerospace, and logistics,
Georgia is home to many players in these sectors who stand to gain
GEORGIA – A GROWING TECH HUB FOR AI This economic might extends beyond individual companies as the state from the resources and robust ecosystem developed here.
continues to set records even during a year ravaged by a global pandemic.
In the first six months of our current fiscal year (July – December 2020), Leading the way is the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Machine
project locations and expansions in Georgia created 16,000 new jobs Learning, an interdisciplinary research center, which now includes more
in every corner of the state and nearly $6 billion in new investment than 190 affiliated faculty and 60 Ph.D. students. The Center has areas of
– both records. Setting records during a pandemic isn’t easy, but it expertise in more than 16 areas, ranging from industries like robotics, artificial
speaks to the momentum the state has been working toward over the intelligence, internet of things, bioinformatics, logistics and manufacturing,
In the State of Georgia, innovation is not just a talking point, but rather an Georgia’s emergence as a Tech Hub began a little more than a decade last decade and the results of those efforts. and information security. This comprehensive center is already doing
integrated element of our economic development story. When there’s the ago when Georgia Tech made the first jump across the interstate to leading research to support industry embracing this technology. In
need to embrace new technologies, such as one of the most prevalent, build what is now known as Tech Square. This unique place is home To prepare for the future, Georgia’s level of talent development is almost addition, Georgia Tech’s Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines
in artificial intelligence, Georgia provides the right ecosystem for companies to to more than 30 Corporate Innovation Centers including corporate unmatched, and it’s one of the reasons that companies will not only be creates new and exciting opportunities for the next generation of robotics
develop, grow, adapt, and be successful. titans like Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, AT&T, and Honeywell. able to embrace technologies like artificial intelligence more easily, but experts, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
Tech Square also provides access to top talent in the metro Atlanta area prepare long-term capacity to fill these jobs of the future.
At the Georgia Centers of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department including schools like Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Emory Major corporations continue to implement artificial intelligence into their
of Economic Development, it’s our mission to work with businesses throughout University, and the Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCUs) This begins in the K-12 education system where the Georgia Department operations to better serve their customers, improve their operations, and
the state to help them clear the path for innovation and find easier ways schools found within Atlanta’s University Center. In addition to talent of Education has made a commitment to preparing students for 21st Century streamline efficiencies. Through programs like the state’s Advanced
to embrace new technologies. Through our focus in many of the state’s and corporate engagements, top research facilities and data centers workplace careers by providing high quality education opportunities in Technology Development Center, startup companies continue to develop
strategic industries – aerospace and defense, agricultural technology, continue to enable new innovations. The convergence of all of these right STEAM Fields. Beyond K-12, the state continues to see high levels of new artificial intelligence solutions that can be integrated in some of
energy technology, information technology, logistics, and manufacturing elements has led many corporations including NCR, Anthem, and talent being generated at the state’s colleges and universities. the state’s most robust industries like aerospace, FinTech, logistics, and
– we’re able to understand the resources found within the state and then use Norfolk Southern to also co-locate in the same area. manufacturing.
our industry expertise to create meaningful connections that enable growth. This level of talent is what led companies like Microsoft to open a major
It’s not just the growth of Tech Square that has made the state a successful presence in the state. It’s also what has led other companies like Apple and Georgia is a state where technologies like artificial intelligence can be
This is especially true with disruptive technologies and their potential hub. Through communities like Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, the Southern Company to each invest $25 million and launch the Propel advanced. Through the state’s strong tech hub, ample supply of technology
impact on the industry. Perhaps one technology with broad industry and Athens, Georgia is seeing innovative communities take on their Center, a facility located within the Atlanta University Center, which will create a talent, and abundance of resources like the Georgia Center of Innovation
implications discussed most is artificial intelligence and machine learning. From own flavor and help generate cutting-edge opportunities in all parts tech hub for HBCUs. Georgia’s college and university systems, along with that ensure company successes, the state will be a leader in advanced
retail, health care, manufacturing, logistics and supply chain, and many of the state. With tremendous strengths including the nation’s fastest our connections with Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, technologies for years to come.
other industries, the growing presence of AI and machine learning will growing seaport in the Port of Savannah, the nation’s No. 1 research offer countless opportunities to young talent. By the numbers, Georgia’s
continue to provide opportunities for companies to innovate. licensing university in the University of Georgia, the home of Army Cyber colleges and universities award more than 2,400 IT bachelor’s degrees
Command and state-invested Georgia Cyber Center, and growing software annually. DAVID NUCKOLLS
Georgia is well positioned for this shift in industry due to its growing innovation assets in Middle Georgia, the state’s innovation and technology EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEORGIA CENTERS
nature as a regional and national tech hub. By various metrics, our state offerings are uniquely complete. The work doesn’t just stop with talent. Georgia is a leading research OF INNOVATION
continues to rank top tier in many elements related to innovation, and state and has taken a leadership position in licensing developed technology.
we continue to look inward through new initiatives like the Partnership for Perhaps the best testament to the state’s success is the number of companies As an example, the University of Georgia’s Innovation Gateway was
Inclusive Innovation. This Partnership is meant to ensure that innovation that have reached more than $1 billion in total valuation. From 2015- recently named No. 1 again for the number of products developed by Dnuckolls@georgia.org
is available to everyone throughout the state, no matter their zip code 2019, Georgia had four companies reach this status. However, in just industry partners based on UGA research discoveries. This marked the
or size of community. In fact, as recently as 2020, Atlanta was named six months of 2020, four additional companies that call the state home seventh consecutive year UGA has placed among the top five schools georgia.org/georgia-centers-of-innovation
the No. 1 Tech Hub by Business Facilities magazine. reached this momentous milestone. The fact that these companies – Greenlight, in the country for this metric.

47. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL