Layoffs, Cancer Scans, Soccer Predictions and more | AITX Newsletter #31

Hello everyone! AITX Team here with more updates this week.

If you’re new here, welcome! 👋 At AITX, we aim to:

• Connect you with like-minded peers passionate about AI.

• Provide a space for sharing ideas and receiving feedback on AI projects you’re building.

• Share helpful tools and invaluable resources.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ruby on AI, "The Magic Lego" 💎 

• When: Tuesday, August 13 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM CST

• Where: Capital Factory 701 Brazos St · Austin, TX

• What:

AI CREATIVE COLLECTIVE - MEETUP #6 🧑‍🎨 

• When: Monday, August 12 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM CST

• Where: Capital Factory 701 Brazos St · Austin, TX

• What: A group of people who are using artificial intelligence to assist them in their creation of visual art. Our focus areas are: film and video, design, digital art, storyboarding, comics and other new media.

Austin LangChain Hacky Hour @ Skinny's Off Track Bar - East Austin 🦜 

• When: Wednesday, August 21 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM CST

• Where: Skinny's Off Track Bar 1806 E 12th Street , · Austin , TX

• What:

  What to Expect:

  • Open Lab Time: Our core group will be actively working on LangChain projects. Feel free to dive into your own work or collaborate with others.

  • Networking: Meet and connect with fellow LangChain enthusiasts in the Austin area. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s something for everyone.

  • Learn and Share: Exchange tips, tricks, and insights on utilizing LangChain technology to its fullest potential.

DataNuts - ‘Talk Nerdy to Me’  👓️ 

• When: Wednesday, August 21 | 5:30 PM to 7:50 PM CST

• Where: The Hoppy Monk 1010 N Loop 1604 E · San Antonio, TX

• What: Connect with a community of professionals, including Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Executives, Futurists, BI Developers, Project Managers, and more.

Austin AI Social Hour 🍸️ 

• When: Wednesday, August 28 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM CST

• Where: The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen 6015 Dillard Cir A · Austin, TX

• What: The perfect spot to mingle with a friendly mix of people who share an interest in AI and its potential. Whether you're looking to share your latest project, seek feedback and advice, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, this is the perfect opportunity to unwind and make new connections in a relaxed, casual environment.

COMMUNITY STORIES

Dell Announces Layoffs, Shifts Focus to AI Innovation Amid Tech Industry Turbulence

Dell, the Austin-born tech giant, is restructuring its workforce with layoffs and a renewed focus on artificial intelligence.

This move aligns with broader trends in the tech industry, as companies adapt to changing market conditions and bet on AI as the future of innovation.

Need-to-know:

• Dell is downsizing its sales staff and some managerial positions as part of a restructuring plan.

• The company is emphasizing AI innovations to stay competitive in the future.

• Unofficial estimates suggest worldwide layoffs could reach 10,000, though Dell hasn't confirmed this number.

• Dell's global workforce decreased by nearly 10% between February 2023 and February 2024.

• Other tech companies in Austin, including Intel, Google, Unity, VMware, and Tesla, have also announced recent layoffs.

• Dell executives describe the move as "getting leaner" and "streamlining layers of management."

Learn more here.

UT Austin Researchers Use AI to Develop Safer, More Effective Antibiotic

Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have leveraged artificial intelligence, specifically a large language model, to engineer a safer version of an existing antibiotic.

The new drug, derived from Protegrin-1, shows promise in animal trials for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria without the toxicity to humans associated with the original compound.

Need-to-know:

• UT Austin researchers used AI to modify Protegrin-1, making it safe for human use

• The new antibiotic, bsPG-1.2, effectively fights multidrug-resistant bacteria in mice

• Researchers employed a large language model to evaluate millions of potential variations

• This approach could accelerate the development of new antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria

• The study aligns with UT Austin's focus on AI applications, as 2024 is declared the "Year of AI" at the university

Learn more here.

AI-Powered Cancer Screening Launches in Austin, Offering Full-Body Scans in One Hour

Ezra, a health technology startup, has introduced AI-powered cancer screening in Austin, Texas.

The technology can screen for cancer in up to 13 organs and 500 other health conditions in just one hour using a full-body MRI enhanced by artificial intelligence.

Need-to-know:

• Ezra's technology uses three AI systems to enhance scan quality, assist radiologists, and translate reports

• The service launched in Austin due to high local demand

• Ezra partnered with Longhorn Imaging, operating in 12 clinics

• About 60 scans have been performed in Austin so far

• Early users report feeling relieved after receiving comprehensive health reports

Learn more here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT

This week, we're highlighting Carlos Cruz, a passionate participant in the recent AITX hackathon.

Carlos, along with his teammates Jose Perdomo, Otto Zoesch-Weigel, and Bryan Chora, showcased their creativity by developing a World Cup 2026 predictor using various machine learning algorithms.

Their project uniquely blended a love for soccer with cutting-edge tech skills, demonstrating the diverse applications of AI.

Here’s what Carlos had to say about his hackathon experience:

You can reach out to Carlos on LinkedIn here!