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- San Antonio Meetup, New Hackathon Prize Category, and More | AITX Newsletter #27
San Antonio Meetup, New Hackathon Prize Category, and More | AITX Newsletter #27
There's a lot to cover in this edition
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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.
Before we jump into the regular news, a few important things:
July AITX Austin Meetup: Our next meetup is scheduled for Tuesday, July 23rd, make sure to sign up here! To stay in the loop on all our monthly meetups and other community organized events, subscribe to our AITX calendar here.
Check out our Community Directory:
We recently started a community directory where you can fill out your profile and find other members of the AITX community.
If you haven’t filled out your profile yet, please follow the link HERE and submit your information.
AITX Hackathon Countdown & Updates ⏰
Exciting Update
We're introducing a new "Local Hacks" prize category in our upcoming hackathon!
Are you an Austin-based AI startup with innovative tools or services?
We want you!
We're searching for three more local companies to join our lineup.
What we're looking for:
Austin-based AI companies
Willingness to offer support (e.g., free tool access, mentorship, prizes)
Enthusiasm to engage with our community
What you get:
Exposure to talented developers
Chance to showcase your tech
Potential new users or collaborators
Limited spots available! Only three more companies will be selected.
Interested? Fill out our quick form here.
We'll review submissions and reach out to selected companies. Don't miss this chance to be part of Austin's thriving AI ecosystem!
Countdown
Our epic hackathon is just around the corner. Here's a quick refresh on the essentials:
Quick Details:
Pre-Event Kickoff: Thursday, July 18th | 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Main Event: Saturday, July 20th | 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
Register Here (Don't miss out!)
Agenda Highlights:
Team building & judging criteria overview (July 18th)
Build your project, preliminary and final judging, prizes and networking (July 20th)
Current Judges So Far:
Dustin Williams - Executive advisor to Google Cloud's most innovative partners
Brendan Fulcher - Machine Learning Engineer @ Lambda Labs
These industry pros are ready to be wowed by your AI creations!
Remember, we're still handing out prizes for Best Hack, Best Vision-based Hack, and Smartest Dumb Use of AI. Time to get those creative juices flowing!
A big shout-out to our sponsors Lambda Labs, Antler VC, and Google Cloud for making this possible!
Can't hack but want to get involved?
We're still looking for judges and mentors. Reach out if you're interested!
AITX San Antonio Meetup Recap
![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/6345d703-2dda-4b02-899a-0a30cf27ecf8/IMG_2096.jpg?t=1720714195)
San Antonio AITX Meetup | July 9, 2024
We had an amazing turnout to this one—and it’s only meetup #2 for San Antonio!
We had great conversations and presentations!
Our very own Jake O’Shea showed folks how he uses Gumloop.
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Gumloop is a no-code platform that empowers users to create AI-powered workflow automations called "flows" using drag-and-drop modular components known as "nodes".
It allows for seamless integration with various services, scalable execution of complex tasks, and team collaboration, all without requiring any coding skills.
We also had a presentation given by Michael Blair on his company Nukudo and we thank him for coming out.
If you want to get more involved in this meetup please reach out to the amazing organizers Christian Reetz & Alan Thompson!
Now that was a lot of updates already so take a breather before we jump back in…
You already know what comes next:
5 Upcoming Events
3 Austin AI Community Stories
1 Community Highlight
So let’s jump in!
UPCOMING EVENTS
When: Wednesday, July 17 | 5:40 PM - 8:29 PM CST
Where: 10900 Stonelake Blvd 10900 Stonelake Boulevard · Austin, TX
What: We have a few speakers tonight covering data engineering for AI projects, OpenAI, and dealing with less than ideal data in an ML project. Doors will open at 5:30 Sessions should start at approximately 6:00.
When: Wednesday, August 7 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CST
Where: Capital Factory 701 Brazos St · Austin, TX
What: Elizabeth Quintanilla will guide you through the transformative power of AI in crafting winning marketing strategies. Learn from successful case studies and understand the practical applications of AI in personalizing customer experiences, optimizing campaigns, and automating communications.
When: Thursday, July 25 | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Where: 701 Brazos St · Austin, TX
What: Dean Drako is the inventor and entrepreneur behind cloud video surveillance provider Eagle Eye Networks, Barracuda Networks and Drako Motors. Drako will share the strategic decisions and innovations that propelled Eagle Eye Networks from a physical security-focused solution to an AI-powered platform.
When: Thursday, August 8 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Where: 701 Brazos St · Austin, TX
What: Connect with other artists, creatives, and technologists and stay updated on the latest developments in the arts and AI-tech space.
When: Tuesday, August 6 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CST
Where: Capital Factory, Voltron Room (1st floor) 701 Brazos Street · Austin, TX
What: Increasing the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is of paramount importance in the proper treatment of HIV. Due to the availability of several different ART drugs and combinations thereof, this problem presents a complex decision setting, where treatment regimes must be dynamically modified in response to changing patient covariates and outcomes over time.
COMMUNITY STORIES
Governor Greg Abbott is making waves across the Pacific, putting Texas on the map as a future hub for AI and space exploration.
His recent economic development trip to East Asia zeroed in on these two cutting-edge sectors, potentially opening doors for exciting opportunities right here in the Lone Star State.
Need-to-know:
Gov. Abbott's East Asia trip focused on artificial intelligence and space exploration
The visit aims to boost Texas' position in these advanced technology sectors
Potential for new partnerships and investments in Texas' AI and space industries
This move aligns with the growing importance of AI and space tech in shaping the future
Austin's tech scene could benefit from increased attention on these areas
Learn more here.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at UT Austin has been chosen to spearhead the National Science Foundation's Leadership-Class Computing Facility (LCCF).
This groundbreaking initiative, backed by a $457 million investment, aims to revolutionize computational research in the U.S. for the next decade.
The project will significantly boost AI and simulation capabilities, positioning Austin at the forefront of advanced computing and artificial intelligence research.
Need-to-know:
TACC at UT Austin selected to lead NSF's Leadership-Class Computing Facility
Initial NSF investment of $457 million for construction
New supercomputer "Horizon" to provide 10x performance improvement for simulations
AI applications to see over 100x improvement compared to current systems
Facility will be open to scientists and engineers nationwide
Project includes partnerships with several universities, including historically Black colleges
Aligns with UT Austin's goal to become the highest-impact public research university globally
Supports UT's focus on Technology and Society and declaration of 2024 as its "Year of AI"
Operations expected to begin in 2026
Learn more here.
In a blend of AI and ammunition retail, Canyon Lake's Lowe's Market has become the first Texas location to install an AI-powered ammunition vending machine.
Created by American Rounds, this smart retail automated ammo dispenser uses facial recognition technology to ensure safe, age-verified sales.
This innovative approach to ammunition retail showcases how AI is transforming unexpected sectors of the economy, right in our Texas backyard.
Need-to-know:
First AI-powered ammunition vending machine in Texas installed at Lowe's Market in Canyon Lake
Uses facial recognition AI to verify customer identity and age (must be 21+)
Developed by American Rounds, already in use in Alabama and Oklahoma since 2023
Over 200 stores are on the waiting list for this technology
Aimed at preventing minors from accessing ammunition while maintaining Second Amendment rights
Plans for expansion to other states, including Hawaii and Colorado
Another machine planned for a second Lowe's Market in Canyon Lake
Demonstrates AI's potential to revolutionize retail in unconventional markets
Raises interesting questions about AI's role in regulated product sales and public safety
Learn more here.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT
We're thrilled to have Dustin Williams as one of our esteemed judges for our upcomming hackathon!
With over two decades of experience across various industries, Dustin brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic thinking and digital transformation.
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Currently serving as an Executive Advisor to Google Cloud's most innovative partners, Dustin is at the forefront of cloud technology and innovation.
His expertise in Strategic Outcomes Engineering has helped numerous organizations innovate and adapt in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Dustin's approach combines a deep understanding of cutting-edge technology with a keen awareness of market dynamics, allowing him to architect comprehensive solutions that drive meaningful change.
As a servant leader who values both strategic vision and tactical execution, Dustin's insights will be invaluable to our hackathon participants.
That’s all for now, folks!
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