Pittsburgh weekly roundup: AI to prevent cycling deaths; Data behind the local workforce; What the union ethos means to tech workers

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

Leveraging data to prevent cycling deaths

Just recently, three more locals died after being hit by cars while cycling. It’s a national tragedy that hits close to home, and as the usual protocols prove not to be enough — though they are progress — the county is hoping tech could help. And the US Department of Transportation looks to Pittsburgh for help.

DOT tapped local startup Velo AI with a $200,000 investment in its Copilot device, which attaches to the back of a bike, constantly records and monitors the environment around the cyclist. It alerts the rider in real-time through a smartphone app, flashing lights or sound signals whenever a vehicle approaches too closely. 

➡️ Read more about the tech, and how the data it collects could spark real change

Labor stats: Tech’s opportunity to grow

Despite the many economic institutions looking to revitalize Pittsburgh, workers may not be there to make it happen. 

Over the past five years, the number of Pittsburgh region residents who are employed fell nearly 7%, from around 320,200 to 299,500. That number is projected to dip another fraction of a percent by 2028.

But tech and innovation could be the areas that provide that opportunity. In that sector, the workforce numbers hold steady, with more than 62,000 jobs in 2023.

➡️ Find out what sectors dominate the local labor force

Face to face with technologists in your market

Technical.ly convenes our community of technologists, entrepreneurs and their supporters — regularly and in a range of formats. Our clients and sponsors work with Technical.ly to amplify their brand and start meaningful relationships which drive results for their business — for hiring, business development and strategic partnerships.

The latest opportunity is for our latest lists of impressive RealLIST Engineers. If you have questions or are interested in partnering on an event, check out details here, book a call with us here, or email sales@technical.ly. 

➡️ Nothing beats direct contact with real people

News Incubator: What else to know

• To celebrate Labor Day, a local tech union explains how Pittsburgh’s longtime labor town ethos fits in with its tech boom. [Technical.ly]

• Korion Health made it to the top six — out of 100,000 applicants — in the running for the Hult Prize Accelerator. They’ll participate in a final pitch competition for the chance to win $1,000,000. [Anna Li]

• Read up on some creative alternatives to the overdone “policy-errr-tech summit/week,” in a post by RustBuilt’s Kit Mueller and Adam Paulisick of SkillBuilder.io. [Pittsburgh Startup News/Technical.ly]

• After PublicSource’s investigation into local government’s AI policies, Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration finally released a policy on the subject. It severely limits the internal use of artificial intelligence platforms. [PublicSource]

• Point Breeze-based SkillBuilder got backing from the Forbes Fund to custom-build AI tools for local non-profits. It estimates that one AI assistant could save their organization up to 10 hours of work per week. [NEXTPittsburgh/Technical.ly]

• Vice President Kamala Harris gave a Labor Day speech in Pittsburgh on Monday. Like the president, she spoke out about the pending US Steel-Nippon merger. [WTAE/Washington Post]

• Autonomous vehicle company Aurora says it’s focusing on long-haul trucking, not the flashy consumer vehicles you usually see, because of the opportunities for big earnings and room to grow industry efficiency. [Fast Company/Technical.ly]

On the Calendar

• The ATHENA awards, which celebrate young women demonstrating excellence in their professions, will be on Sept. 6 at the Convention Center. Learn more about the finalists and find out who wins at the event. [Register]

• LGBTQ+ coding club, Queery, will hold its usual meetup on Sept. 7. The event is open to all levels of technologists. [Sign up]

• Learn from CIOs at big companies like UPMC and Pitt Ohio at a tech council event. They’ll discuss how AI fits into future business strategies on Sept. 12. [Learn more]

• Carnegie Mellon’s will host Product Wars, bringing students and product management professionals together to collaborate. The event will be on Sept. 6. [Details here]

• Expand your nerdy social circles at Board Game Night on Sept. 9. The event caters to self-proclaimed geeks age 21 to 35. [Find out more]