U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) joined Pittsburgh Technology Council innovators and leaders on Friday for a roundtable discussion on the rapid growth of the defense robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) industries in southwestern Pennsylvania.
“The rise of AI, autonomous systems, and robotics has eroded the technological advantages the United States has historically used to deter aggression from near-peer competitors like China and Russia,” Brian Kennedy, Defense Robotics and AI Coalition at the Pittsburgh Technology Council leader, said. “As that advantage diminishes, the world becomes increasingly dangerous. The innovations being developed in Western Pennsylvania are now essential to the Department of Defense’s core mission: To provide the military forces needed to deter war.”
McCormick also toured Gecko Robotics’ manufacturing facility and research and development lab; toured Strategy Robot’s facility and viewed a demonstration of its defense software; and witnessed a demonstration of Lovelace AI’s technology.
“Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in AI innovation, energy dominance, and defense reindustrialization,” McCormick said. “The state’s ecosystem combines world-class academic research institutions with entrepreneurial excellence, creating an ideal environment for developing breakthrough AI technologies with multiple applications across national security and critical infrastructure sectors. I am proud to engage with each of these incredible entrepreneurs who are developing innovative, cutting-edge solutions that will help America win the AI race and secure our national interests.”
The greater Pittsburgh region has seen an increase in AI development and defense reindustrialization companies. Many of the companies selected Pittsburgh for their headquarters because of the region’s proximity to Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and other higher education institutions; a large skilled labor force; plentiful natural resources; an affordable cost of living; and proximity to more than half the population of the United States.