Southern Indiana Business Report
ODON — Purdue@WestGate at the WestGate@Crane Technology Park teamed up with Semiring Inc. and Dioltas to host Midwest AI Day on Aug. 3 at the WestGate Academy. The full day, in-person event featured industry and academic experts, panel discussions, demos and displays. In attendance were over 20 company booths plus individuals from Indiana University, Purdue University, Notre Dame University, NSWC Crane and Sen. Mike Braun’s office.
The schedule included an array of speakers and three panels focused on AI: cybersecurity, healthcare, and education and workforce. Attendees were encouraged to network and had the opportunity to view IN3’s latest opening of their CyPhy Lab. The event ended with a social hour provided by S2MARTS.
Midwest AI Day had a three-fold goal:
- Create opportunities and collaborations between NSWC Crane, universities and Indiana businesses.
- Promote startup technologies and capabilities within the artificial intelligence and cybersecurity industry.
- Support the development of talent pipelines for careers in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
“I’m glad to see Indiana’s higher education preparing students for the next big tech innovation on the horizon: artificial intelligence,” Sen. Braun said via a recorded video message to attendees. He noted artificial intelligence now touches all American industries and will continue to play a larger role in the future.
Braun continued, “Wherever I go back home, we talk about workforce development. Part of that equation is always going to be the brain drain. How do we make staying here in Indiana a viable option for students in a high-tech career path?” He said the work being done by the organizations represented at the conference can help keep that talent in Indiana.
About Purdue@WestGate
Purdue@WestGate is an economic development accelerator formed by the partnership between WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. The collaboration combines strengths to advance educational, research and development, and technology commercialization across Indiana and elsewhere. Purdue@WestGate offers tools for startups, entrepreneurial experts, programs, educational opportunities and workforce development to help Southern Indiana businesses grow and thrive. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit https://www.westgate-academy.com/event to view a full calendar of upcoming events, including startups and defense organizations driving Hypersonic innovation.