Philly weekly roundup: Three Mile Island-Microsoft deal; 1682 returns in October; Agriculture and innovation in rural America

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

Three Mile Island inks deal with Microsoft

Three Mile Island, a nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, announced that it would be selling nuclear power to Microsoft to power its AI systems. The plant is known for a massive meltdown in 1979. 

Tech companies are increasingly using more energy to process data for AI tools. This move is part of Microsoft’s plan to reduce its environmental impact and become carbon neutral by 2030. 

➡️ Read more about the overall impact of this deal

Innovation conference 1682 returns in Oct.

After a five-year long hiatus, 1682 will once again gather technologists and entrepreneurs in Philly next month. This year’s event will focus on the influence of AI. 

The event includes panels about navigating and investing in artificial intelligence. AI startups will also have the opportunity to pitch and compete for a $5,000 cash prize. 

➡️ Check out the full agenda

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News Incubator: What else to know today

• Researchers are looking at how photocatalysts, a type of material that can break down toxic pollutants, can be used sustainably. [Technical.ly]

• Agriculture is the center of innovation and entrepreneurship in rural parts of the United States, writes Technical.ly CEO Chris Wink. [Technical.ly]

• University of Pennsylvania gene therapy researcher Jim Wilson explained why he left academia for entrepreneurship at the Life Sciences PA conference last week. [Philly Biz Journal]

• The Shapiro Administration announced an information and media literacy toolkit to help PA educators teach digital literacy. [PA Gov]

• The Philadelphia Department of Revenue released open data about property tax delinquencies. [City of Philadelphia]

• Pedro Aguilar, a University of Pennsylvania freshman, competed in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, which invites teens to submit short videos explaining complex math or science topics. [The Daily Pennsylvanian]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Philly EdTech Meetup’s first happy hour is on Sept. 24. [RSVP here]

• Technical.ly is partnering with Back Pocket Media to bring Story Fest back to Philly and host local journalism live on stage. The event on Sept. 25 and 26 at the Bok Building is sponsored by the Knight Foundation and Comcast NBCUniversal. [Buy tickets]

• Philly Hardware Meetup is hosting a special event focused on medtech on Sept. 25. [More details]

• Mix and mingle at 1Philadelphia’s Fall Meetup at Indy Hall on Sept. 26. [Register here]

• Google Developer Group Philly is having a Lighting Rounds meetup on Sept. 26. [Details here]

• Philly Tech Sistas invites women of color in tech to join them for Coffee and Connect on Sept. 28. [Details here]

• 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]