Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Pittsburgh RealLIST Connectors; How new really is AI; Motional layoffs

20 Pittsburgh leaders driving innovation

Connectors play many roles, from helping newcomers find their first jobs to getting a startup founder in touch with local venture capital firms. We believe connectors help innovation happen in the markets that we cover, and our annual RealLIST Connectors feature celebrates that mission.

Meet the 2024 RealLIST Connectors in Pittsburgh, presented in alphabetical order.

➡️ Read my piece honoring some top Pittsburgh tech folks.

Is AI new, or just another tech platform?

If AI is merely the latest in a series of platform technologies, then the solution may involve simply helping workers transition to growing industries. But if AI is an unprecedented development, then a more radical response is required to support workers through this shift.

Many AI enthusiasts seem to want it both ways: They promote AI as unprecedented, but revert to the familiar argument that workers will adapt as they have with past technologies when pressed about economic risks.

➡️Chris Wink’s weekly column explores how AI is changing HR.

News Incubator: What else to know

• Self-driving car company Motional laid off several employees, including some based in Pittsburgh. It’s unclear the total number of people affected. [Pittsburgh Business Times/Technical.ly]

• Life sciences accelerator AlphaLab Health received a $10 million grant to create a revolving investment fund. The money will go toward creating revenue for local startups. [Innovation Works/Technical.ly]

• A DOJ inquiry has slowed Nippon Steel’s plans to acquire US Steel. The companies still plan to close the $14.1 billion deal later this year. [AP News/Technical.ly]

• Move over Taylor Swift, Gov. Shapiro is coming for your throne. No, not as a pop star, but as a Pennsylvanian who’s an avid user of private jets. He uses the state’s plane much more than predecessor Tom Wolf. [Spotlight PA]

• Bakery Square, which everyone kind of already knows as a tech hub because of the massive Google sign, is attracting more startups. LoveLace AI, Netail and Pearl Street Technologies all now have offices there. [Pittsburgh Business Times]

• The Pittsburgh Robotics Network hired two new people in leadership. Patrick Joyal joins as director of strategic engagement, jumping over from the Shapiro Administration, and Phoebe Gerst will be the director of partnerships, leaving her previous role at Gecko Robotics. [Pittsburgh Robotics Network]

🗓️ On the Calendar

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