Baltimore weekly roundup: Regional investment and opportunity; AI in US-China relations; Mayor Scott DJs during Artscape

This week, we have highlights from two annual events earlier this month. The Greater Baltimore Committee’s latest annual investment summit illuminated opportunities and wins throughout regionally prominent sectors like biotech and defense. Before then, Maryland leaders discussed the evolution of ecosystem-building roles during a panel at our Builders Conference.

Scroll down for more news from throughout the Baltimore region.

📰 News Incubator: What to know

• Experts, including an ex-US Congressman, traded arguments about how AI plays into US-China relations during a recent debate at Johns Hopkins. [Technical.ly]

• A man pleaded guilty to playing a role in a 2019 ransomware and extortion operation affecting Baltimore and other cities in the US. The schemes led to major disruptions and financial losses, per prosecutors. [AP/Technical.ly] 

• The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s annual basketball tournament is staying in Baltimore until 2029. It’s been found to provide a boon for the local economy. [Baltimore Biz Journal/Technical.ly]

• Check out ways founders are using AI tools to make their workflows more manageable. [Technical.ly]

• Gov. Wes Moore allowed a bill regulating advanced pay apps (services where people can receive a portion of their paycheck before payday) to be passed into law. He also warned these apps can cause a “debt cycle” for consumers. [WYPR]

• Tariffs may change how Maryland trades with the more than 200 countries with which it has a relationship. The state’s brewery owners also worry about how tariffs will shift imports. [Baltimore Banner/Maryland Matters]

• People and businesses are continuing to send Maryland intent-to-sue letters over the Key Bridge collapse. [Washington Post]

• University of Maryland Global Campus is reintegrating Ventures and AccelerEd, two offices that spun off as independent businesses. The move follows an audit that determined the action was costly and went against typical procedures. [Maryland Matters]

• Baltimore company Brady UX is launching an incubator for early-stage teams. Applications open June 3. [Brady UX]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Impact Hub Baltimore is hosting a resource mixer for entrepreneurs on May 29. [Details here]

• ​BLK Tech Connect is hosting its next meetup on May 29 at M.A.P. Technologies. [Details here]

• Dive deep into AI governance, literacy and workforce development at a summit on June 3 hosted by the University of Baltimore. [Details here]

• Techstars showcases its AI Health accelerator cohort at a demo day in the Ravens’ stadium on June 5. [Details here]

• Network with local business owners and celebrate the nonprofit LET’S GO’s new offices on June 5. [Details here]

• Watch demos from local technologists on June 14 at the next Baltimore Code and Coffee. [Details here]