About Us

Pittsburgh is AI City

What are we doing?

We worked throughout 2024 to understand your needs, Pitttsburgh. We know some of you are thrilled and optimistic about AI, while others are wary and thoughtful. We know that you want us collaborating with the incredible resources and organizations in our city that work in AI-adjacent fields, and that our lane is to fill the gap with a hyperfocus on the AI space, embracing those building the next generation of AI, those applying AI today, and those navigating the complexities of using it responsibly.

Vision

A thriving, responsible AI ecosystem where technology advances alongside human well-being, fostering bold innovation that shapes a brighter future and maintains Pittsburgh's position as a global leader at the forefront of ethical advancement.

Mission

To build and empower an inclusive AI community in Pittsburgh, where collaboration, ethical innovation, and transformative impact drive technology forward for the benefit of all and in pursuit of a more abundant future.

Initiatives

Develop a robust online community, host impactful monthly meetups, foster collaborative projects, serve as a trusted source of domain expertise, and host an annual Pittsburgh AI Ecosystem Summit.

Operational Values

Inclusivity and Community

We believe that a diverse, inclusive community strengthens AI innovation. We welcome all voices, bridging differences to foster collaboration, support marginalized perspectives, and build a community that represents and uplifts everyone.

Collaboration and Openness

We value partnerships and knowledge-sharing across industries, academia, nonprofits, and government. By encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, we create an environment where innovation thrives for the collective good.

Excellence and Leadership

As part of Pittsburgh’s legacy of technological leadership, we strive for excellence and continuous learning, advancing Pittsburgh’s role as a model for ethical AI on a global stage.

Objective Values

Ethics and Responsibility

We commit to the ethical development and application of AI. Our work is driven by transparency, accountability, and a commitment to safeguard privacy, equity, and justice in every technological advancement.

Human-Centric Innovation

We prioritize technologies that serve human well-being, focusing on real-world impact that enhances lives and addresses society’s most pressing challenges.

Visionary Innovation and Futurism

We are driven by a bold, optimistic vision for the future, embracing transformative ideas that push boundaries and anticipate tomorrow's possibilities. We believe that by harnessing AI responsibly, we can create breakthrough solutions that shape a better, more abundant world for all.

Strategy

Stay in our lane (Specifically AI)
Take up our entire lane (academic research to applications to compliance and ethics)
Be a Nexus, Hub, and Community Connection for AI-interested (or even AI-wary) Pittsburghers

Our strategic focus ensures that Pittsburgh AI engages the complete AI ecosystem, avoiding incomplete approaches and those that extend outside the boundary of AI, including essential components like cutting-edge AI development, ethical and policy considerations, and real-world application practices. By remaining strictly AI-focused yet holistically engaged, we integrate researchers and builders pushing AI boundaries, those applying AI to solve real-world problems, and stewards ensuring ethical and sustainable development. This approach creates a robust, interconnected community that can collaboratively advance AI while fostering innovation and accountability across modalities.

Our Story. Pittsburgh is AI City

Our story is rooted in the rich heritage and modern momentum of Pittsburgh’s AI ecosystem, capturing the city’s historic role as a cradle of artificial intelligence and its present-day leadership in cutting-edge innovation. The statement "Pittsburgh is AI City" embodies our mission and vision, making a bold claim rooted in both legacy and progress.

Our visual and narrative identity draws inspiration from retro-space-age aesthetics, reflecting the optimism and futurism that define our approach to AI. This blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking design serves as a reminder of Pittsburgh’s journey from steel powerhouse to global technology leader. It evokes the pioneering spirit that sparked the birth of AI while pointing confidently toward the future, where our community is building and shaping technologies that transform the world.

Our group and the live story we are writing emphasize collaboration, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to innovation that benefits all. By bridging the past and future, our identity resonates with the diverse stakeholders who are part of Pittsburgh’s AI story—from academic pioneers and tech visionaries to community leaders and global changemakers. We invite everyone to engage, contribute, and grow with us as we continue to lead and innovate in this dynamic, evolving field.

Pittsburgh isn’t just a city with AI; it is the AI City, where history and innovation converge to shape a brighter, more abundant future for all.

Need a blurb about us? Pittsburgh is AI City. As both a birthplace and a leader in artificial intelligence, the city seamlessly bridges its storied past with a future focused on innovation and ethics. From pioneering projects like the world’s first self-driving car to today’s groundbreaking work in healthcare and robotics, Pittsburgh’s AI ecosystem is thriving and accelerating. It’s powered by renowned academic institutions, dynamic startups, and collaborative industry partnerships, all driving technology forward with a commitment to inclusivity, responsibility, and real-world impact.

Need a one-pager about us? Pittsburgh’s transformation from its industrial steel roots to a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence reflects a spirit of relentless innovation and collaboration. The city’s AI journey began with groundbreaking efforts at Carnegie Mellon University, including the establishment of the Robotics Institute in 1979 and the development of the world’s first self-driving car. This heritage has cemented Pittsburgh as a foundational pillar of the AI revolution. Today, Pittsburgh continues to lead as AI City, blending academic excellence with cutting-edge real-world applications. The University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, alongside others centers of education, produce top-tier talent driving advancements in healthcare AI, autonomous systems, and ethical technology development. Companies leverage this ecosystem, translating research into transformative solutions that shape industries worldwide. What sets Pittsburgh apart is its collaborative culture, especially through pgh.ai. The city thrives on partnerships between universities, tech startups, nonprofits, and government entities, creating an ecosystem where ideas are rapidly developed, tested, and scaled. Events like hackathons, workshops, and vibrant community meetups foster an environment of experimentation and entrepreneurship, drawing innovators eager to make a meaningful impact. Pittsburgh is not just about technological advancement; it is a city deeply committed to responsible and inclusive AI. Initiatives focusing on ethics, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility), and community engagement will ensure that AI serves humanity. As global awareness of AI’s transformative potential grows, Pittsburgh stands at the forefront, innovating ethically and inclusively. It’s not just where AI is advancing; it’s where AI began, and it’s where AI continues to make a real-world difference.

Want to know about our logo? Stars: The star imagery reflects the timeless nature of the stars—rooted in the past yet guiding us toward the future, just as our AI City builds on its historical foundations with present energy and future aspirations. Historically, stars have been used for navigation, embodying our journey toward new horizons in AI. The phrase "shooting for the stars" encapsulates our aspiration to achieve excellence and innovation in the AI field. In essence, our logo encapsulates the bridging of past achievements with future possibilities, uniting various facets of the AI community under a shared vision. Bridge: Featuring two interlocking star shapes forming a bridge, is a powerful representation of Pittsburgh's identity as the "City of Bridges." This design symbolizes our mission to connect diverse conversations about AI that are currently happening in isolated silos. By bridging these discussions, we aim to foster collaboration among creators making tomorrow’s AI, implementers using today’s AI, and stewards making sure we are responsibly making and using AI, with a laser focus on AI (not general technologies) but inclusive of all three components of AI for long-term viability and to best serve our mission and vision. We also bridge those who engage with AI across modalities of interacting this world: makers and builders, readers and thinkers, listeners and discussers, learners and teachers, and leaders and connectors.

History

Our organization began as a grassroots effort to connect Pittsburgh’s AI community, quickly becoming a central hub for collaboration, education, and resource sharing across tech, academic, and civic spaces. Building on Pittsburgh’s legacy in AI, robotics, life sciences, and advanced tech, we’ve facilitated early connections between innovators and fostered a community eager to shape the future responsibly. This reboot represents our commitment to expand and serve a more advanced world of AI in a diverse, inclusive, and engaged community.

In 2024, our "Year 0," we focused on listening to community voices, assessing Pittsburgh’s existing AI ecosystem, and identifying areas ripe for growth. Through discussions and outreach, we've gained insight into what is working, where there are gaps, and how we can amplify efforts to connect the community meaningfully. As we moved into Q4, we invited highly interested individuals to help shape our gentle launch for 2025, laying a strong foundation for sustainable impact.

Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem is unique, blending innovation in AI, health technologies and robotics with a collaborative spirit across academia, industry, and government. As AI advances, there is a heightened need for ethical frameworks, accessible education, and cross-sector partnerships. We see opportunities to bridge gaps in community support, foster partnerships with local AI pioneers, and address industry trends that prioritize responsible, inclusive innovation. Our organization is poised to build strong alliances and drive impactful initiatives that reflect both global advancements and local needs.