It is no surprise that we are talking frequently in the Innovation District about future technologies and how they have the potential to solve the "unsolvable" problems and radically change lives. Two such discussions recently highlighted advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) - a field that has the potential to change almost every sector from transportation, medicine, and robotics to education and climate.
ARK Invest held its Big Ideas Summit at the newly opened ARK Innovation Center in the St. Pete Innovation District. This event highlighted several areas of technology innovation that have strong opportunities for growth including AI, bitcoin, precision therapies, electric vehicles and more. To read ARK Invest Big Ideas 2024 click here. Or more about the Summit click here.
A few weeks later, Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of ARK Invest spoke at the Tampa Bay Innovation Center's (TBIC) Innovation Showcase which highlighted eight early-stage startup founders who participated in TBIC's AI accelerator program. She highlighted how “Technology is permeating every industry in every sector....there’s a blurring of the lines, and the opportunities, therefore, are huge as AI scales across sectors.” To read more click here.
We are a little more than a month away from an exciting Morning Sparks where we will explore our role as one of the largest innovation districts globally! Expect to learn new information on how we plan to drive greater regional economic growth and competition, act as catalysts for economic opportunities in neighboring communities, and strategically position our district for growth in competitive and sustainable ways. This will be the first SPID event held at ARK Innovation Center, so mark your calendar for Friday, August 1st.
What's next for launching rockets into space? Launching rockets from the sea. With limited land availability and significant costs, companies like Seagate Space see a game-changing solution in developing offshore launchpads. There is also a sense of urgency as other countries have included offshore infrastructure as part of their space strategy. Seagate Space and The Spaceport Company are positioned to lead the way for Florida in this new frontier.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is more than just helicopters or planes; it’s the future of transportation. St. Petersburg is looking ahead into electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can perform tasks beyond the capabilities of traditional aviation. Think faster disaster relief response, private air taxis, and much more.