Delaware weekly roundup: AI bots on social media; Incyte CEO speaks on upcoming move; $20M for new ferries

Welcome to the roundup of the latest from Delaware's tech and entrepreneurship scene. Want this in your inbox? Subscribe for free.

How to spot AI-driven disinformation

Some misinformation is easy to catch. But you can’t rely on funky fingers or choppy grammar to identify the most advanced generative AI-based propaganda bots anymore.

I talked with industry experts about how swarms of bots are once again trying to impact a big election. Here’s what social media websites, the government and you can do about it.

➡️ Read my report on 2024 election disinformation bots here

Incyte CEO on research, downtown expansion

This month’s DelawareBio breakfast was held at Incyte headquarters in Alapocas and featured a talk from Incyte CEO Hervé Hoppenot. He described the biopharma company’s upcoming expansion to downtown Wilmington as “motivating.”

Incyte will take over three of the Bracebridge buildings, originally built as part of the MBNA campus in the 1990s, in 2026 after renovations.

➡️ Read my BioBreakfast recap here

Free advice from global business lawyers

Lawyers at Morgan Lewis are back with a new series of webinars that provide practical tips and address topics relevant to entrepreneurs and investors.

The Oct. 10 edition brings a look at IPOs and the path to liquidity for founders. The Nov. 21 session covers legal strategies for fintech and venture capital financing. On Dec. 11, lawyers discuss the trends affecting investing and fundraising for high-growth emergent companies. It’s all available totally free when you RSVP in advance.

➡️  See the full schedule with details and register online

News Incubator: What else to know today

• Tech Impact, a nonprofit IT workforce support organization with offices in Wilmington and Newark is expanding its training program to Nashville early next year. [Delaware Business Times]

• Newark wellness company GOLO is expanding its product line with the launch of GOLO Foods. The ready-to-heat frozen meals are available by delivery. [Delaware Business Now]

• The Delaware River and Bay Authority received a $20 million federal grant to replace a 40-year-old ferry with a new diesel-hybrid ferry. The new lower-emission ferry will be part of the Cape May-Lewes fleet. [Town Square Delaware]

• Three Delaware airports — the Wilmington Airport, the Delaware Coastal Airport and the Delaware Airpark — received nearly $9 million via the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. Funding will be used to improve the airports’ infrastructures. [Delaware Online]

• Delaware Technical and Community College is increasing its emphasis on workforce development for green jobs, as legislation adds more opportunities for green businesses. [Delaware Business Times]

• Instagram is adding new restrictions on current and new users under the age of 18, including setting them as private by default, a “sleep mode” from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and restricted messaging. [The Verge]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Wednesday, Sept. 18 — Zip Code Wilmington information session [Details]

• Wednesday, Sept. 18 — Unleashing SEDI Networking Event at Delaware State University [Details]

• Client event: The next Tech Summit Series webinar from accounting and advisory firm Withum, held on Sept. 18 at noon, features JP Morgan’s head of commercial banking talking about key economic trends and interest rates and what it means for the tech industry. [Free RSVP]

• Thursday, Sept. 19 — Her Perspective event: Opening Up About Mental Health at DETV [Details]

• Thursday, Sept. 19 — Delaware Business Expo at the Chase Center on the Riverfront [Details]

• Thursday, Sept. 19 — A ChristianaCare talk on generative AI and the future of UX [Details]

• Partner event: 1682 makes it’s post-COVID return on Oct. 18. Hosted in Center City at the fun Five Below HQ, the ticketed event ($500-$650) features a full day of workshops, panels and more on how AI and innovation are impacting the tech scene. [Register]