San Antonio Meetup, New Hackathon Prize Category, and More | AITX Newsletter #27

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.

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

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.

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!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Austin AI & ML Meetup Group: July Meetup 🏖️ 

• 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.

Leverage AI Tools to Predict & Win at the Game of Business Chess 🔨 

• 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.

AI, Machine Learning and Computer Vision Meetup 👁️ 

• 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.

Artists & the Age of AI: August 2024 Meetup 👩‍🎨 

• 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.

Using AI to Improve HIV Treatment: A Reinforcement Learning Approach 🦾 

• 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

Gov. Abbott's Asian Odyssey: AI and Space Take Center Stage

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.

UT Austin's TACC Secures $457M to Lead NSF's Cutting-Edge Computing Facility

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.

AI-Powered Ammo Vending Debuts in Texas: A Shot at Smart Retail

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.

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.