Philly daily roundup: Meet the donor behind $2.5M for Temple; AI startup accelerator; Exposing deepfake dangers

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Brian Butz cared about AI before it was cool

A former Temple professor and researcher, Butz specialized in AI research. He first started reading about AI in the 80s. He says a lot of the concerns we have about the technology now aren’t much different than concerns back then. 

Butz and his wife donated $2.5 million to Temple’s School of Engineering to support AI research. He wanted to give back and support the next generation of professors and students, he said. 

➡️ Read on for more about Butz’s career history

Calling all AI startups looking to grow

Comcast NBCUniversal is on the lookout for startups revolutionizing how we integrate AI into our professional and daily lives to join the next cohort of the LIFT Labs Accelerator. The five-week program, running Oct. 14 to Nov. 15, is designed for startups at various stages, from pre-seed to enterprise-ready.

Leaders are seeking innovative AI solutions that transform work environments, facilitate collaborative efforts across teams and organizations, improve accessibility and inclusivity, increase personal productivity, supercharge supply and demand planning, boost climate resilience and upskill the workforce of tomorrow.

➡️ Get all the details and apply online by Aug. 4

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News Incubator: What else to know today

• Two Philly area founders created “Inhuman,” a documentary series about AI weaponization. The first part is about deepfake technology and will premiere on August 7. [Technical.ly]

• Malvern-based medtech company Neuronetics entered into a $90 million deal with Perceptive Advisors to help pay off its debt. The company is working on transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments. [Philly Biz Journal]

• BioLabs Philadelphia is working with the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority on a Vaccine Innovation and Therapeutics Accelerator Launchpad program. Applications for the program are due August 23. [VITAL]

• The City of Philadelphia received $300,000 from the Shapiro Administration to install electric chargers for city vehicles. [PA Gov]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Come show off your latest project at DC215’s next TOOOLBox open house on August 2. [More details]

• Code and Coffee at Philly is back for its regular weekly meetup on August 3. [More details]