Business

School Shootings Lower Spending by Millions in Affected Communities

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:50:47 +0000

School Shootings Lower Spending by Millions in Affected Communities admin Wed, 07/30/2025 - 08:50

School shootings occur almost weekly in the U.S., with effects rippling beyond the school district where a shooting happened. New research from Georgia Tech shows that spending at local businesses across an affected community declines for at least six months.

Following school shootings, community members are 2% less likely to shop at area grocery stores. Convenience shops and liquor stores lose 3% of their business during this period. Restaurant and bar patronage drops even further — to 8%.

Cumulatively, a local economy can lose $5.4 million over six months.

“We set out to explore whether school shootings would have a direct causal impact on community economic activity,” said Adithya Pattabhiramaiah, Sharon A. and David B. Pearce Professor in the Scheller College of Business. “It may seem like a 2% loss is small, but that can add up to a pretty sizable revenue impact for a retailer with small margins.”

The Data

The three-year study combined statistical data and experimental interviews. The researchers started by examining NielsenIQ data, which tracks what shoppers buy at stores by county. Their NielsenIQ sample included 63 fatal school shootings between 2012 and 2019. Next, the researchers combined this with a Center for Homeland Defense and Security dataset of school shootings. They also examined a study of the nutritional value of products people bought at grocery stores in areas with school shootings.

The researchers hypothesized that people buy unhealthier foods to cope with negative emotions. Instead, their analysis showed people don’t buy comfort food after school shootings — because they generally don’t shop at all.

Pattabhiramaiah and his collaborators compared these datasets with those of neighboring counties that did not experience a school shooting. They followed purchasing patterns for a year, from six months before the event through six months after. The study’s statistical controls helped rule out other reasons people might shop less, such as weather events or holidays.

The Emotional Impact

It was important to the researchers to show that people not only spend less, but also why. So, the team conducted experimental studies in which participants read a hypothetical shooting scenario and were asked to share their emotional response to it and discuss how such an event might affect their shopping.

This experimental data backed up the numbers. People are more likely to consolidate their shopping trips and dine out less. This often comes down to anxiety about being in public.

“We show the main driver isn’t fear, or even sadness,” Pattabhiramaiah said. “If that were the case, we would see evidence of people indulging in comfort foods, as past studies have shown. Rather, the main feeling is anxiety.”

One thing is clear from Pattabhiramaiah’s research. Policymakers need to think about how to help their communities recover when school shootings occur. Thriving local businesses are a sign of a community’s economic health — and also its emotional well-being.

Summary sentence

Georgia Tech researchers have discovered persistent community-wide economic effects from school shootings.

Summary

Dateline

Mon, 07/21/2025 - 12:00

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Tess Malone, Senior Research Writer/Editor

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Wed, 07/30/2025 - 08:50

Scientists Pinpoint Hazards for Engineered Stone Fabrication Shop Workers

admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:23:41 +0000

Scientists Pinpoint Hazards for Engineered Stone Fabrication Shop Workers admin Mon, 07/28/2025 - 14:23

You've probably seen fabricated stone countertops on an HGTV remodeling show — and you might even have them in your own home.

The durable, affordable, and highly customizable product debuted in Italy in the 1970s and continues to grow in popularity. Between 2010 and 2018, U.S. imports of engineered stone slabs increased by 800%. One report predicted that global demand will increase 5.4% each year, to reach 97 million square meters by 2028.

Sometimes referred to as manufactured stone or quartz (which is, confusingly, also the name of one of its main components), to the untrained eye, the material looks no different from natural stone. One of its biggest advantages is that it can be made to resemble marble, granite, or nearly any other stone.

Beneath the material’s familiar smooth surface, however, lie safety risks for engineered stone workers.

Research conducted by a team of Georgia Tech scientists demonstrates that everyone in a fabrication shop is at risk, not just the workers cutting and fashioning the material.

The group included members of the Enterprise Innovation Institute’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Services (SHES) program: Jenny Houlroyd, Hilarie Warren, Brandon J. Philpot, and Sean Castillo. Together with Jhy-Charm Soo of Georgia Southern University, they recently published their findings in Oxford Academic.

The study divided engineered stone workers into four risk groups and charted their relative exposure to the material’s chief hazard: respirable crystalline silica.

A “Toxic Product”

Engineered stone differs notably from its natural counterpart, both in composition and in danger to worker health.

A stone slab cut from the ground, such as granite or marble, comprises several different minerals and typically has a concentration of 40% or less of mineral crystalline silica — usually quartz, which is the most abundant form of crystalline silica.

Engineered stone, however, can contain more than 90% silica. Slabs are produced when silica is crushed, combined with synthetic resins, and compressed using heat or pressure.

During fabrication, these slabs are cut and shaped by powered hand tools. The resulting dust contains tiny particles of respirable crystalline silica. Once inhaled, some of the particulate may stay in the lungs and cause an inflammatory response.

While crystalline silica is released from both natural and engineered slabs during fabrication, the engineered slabs’ significantly higher percentage of silica poses a much greater risk to human health.

A growing body of research indicates that breathing engineered stone dust leads to lung inflammation and can cause acute silicosis, an untreatable lung disease.

“I would classify engineered stone as a really toxic product,” said Houlroyd, manager of occupational health services at SHES. “When you have something that’s high-risk, you have to prepare for systems to fail and have backup measures.”

Committed to Safety

Over six years, the SHES research group collected air-sampling data, making 17 visits to 11 Georgia stone fabrication shops. The shops had all requested air-sampling services offered by SHES.

“The companies agree that by working with us, they commit to correcting the hazards and reducing exposures, as much as is feasible,” Houlroyd noted.

Because most kitchen and bathroom countertop fabrication shops are small employers, workers often complete a variety of tasks, resulting in a range of exposure factors.

The research team recommended that all manufactured stone fabrication workers wear respirators, such as an N95 mask. For employees who are the most exposed, they recommended a respirator with a powered air-purifying element or supplied air.

But personal protective equipment (PPE) alone does not ensure safe conditions.

“Most of the workers in this industry are relying on respirators as their primary source of protection, and they need a lot more to protect them,” explained Houlroyd. “PPE is the last line of defense, and safety needs to be addressed from all angles.”

Part of that multifaceted strategy includes repeated monitoring of air quality and equipment. It’s also crucial for employers to make sure that exposure risks are understood by all workers — not just employees, but also contract and day laborers, as well as those working for cash.

More Than Just a Job

As members of SHES, the Georgia Tech research team members are first and foremost health and safety consultants, with expertise spanning industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

For Houlroyd, worker safety is not just a professional calling; it’s also a personal mission.

“My dad got sick with brain cancer from exposure to contaminants on the job, and he died four years ago,” she said.

“Though he didn’t work in the manufactured stone industry, his story is representative of many people who go to work each day to feed their family, are not aware of workplace hazards, and then find themselves sick.”

The public can play a part in worker safety, too.

“Consumers have a choice and can educate themselves about what type of countertop materials they choose to have installed — like how we look at food labels for nutritional information,” said Warren, who oversees the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at Georgia Tech.

“We should be aware of the risk to workers, as well as how the installation process in our homes should be properly managed to prevent dust contamination,” she added.

A Zero-Risk Solution

In 2024, Australia eliminated the risks associated with engineered stone fabrication. Despite having enacted stronger regulations in 2019, the country continued to see a rise in silicosis cases resulting from exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Australia’s solution? Enacting a ban on the import and fabrication of the material until its safe manufacture can be demonstrated.

In their report, the Georgia Tech group recommends that the U.S. do the same. As Houlroyd put it, “I would love to see our country find a safer substitution and take this dangerous product off the market.”

____________________

Title: “Respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica exposures among workers at stone countertop fabrication shops in Georgia from 2017 through 2023”

Conflict of interest: Jenny Houlroyd has served as an expert witness in silicosis legal cases unrelated to this research. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding: The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as part of the OSHA 21(d) Consultation Program grant.

DOI: https://academic.oup.com/annweh/advance-article/doi/10.1093/annweh/wxaf014/8116008?utm_source=advanceaccess&utm_campaign=annweh&utm_medium=email

Summary sentence

Engineered stone has been in use for homes since the 1970s but creates serious health hazards for workers who produce them.

Summary

Australia enacted a ban on the import and fabrication of manufactured stone slabs because of health hazard concerns. Researchers from Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern University recommend the U.S. do the same.

Dateline

Mon, 07/28/2025 - 12:00

eve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu

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Eve Tolpa
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Mon, 07/28/2025 - 14:22

Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service

admin — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:43:40 +0000

Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service admin Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:43

The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, received recognition by Gov. Brian P. Kemp at the Georgia State Capitol for 65 years of service to the manufacturing industry.

The commendation acknowledged GaMEP for leveraging its world-renowned expertise and resources to advance manufacturing and economic prosperity across the state, supporting an industry that adds $82 billion to the economy and employs 425,000 residents, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

This impact reflects decades of intentional growth and support for the industry. By 1960, more than 4,500 manufacturers had planted roots across Georgia — the result of strategic efforts by state leaders, with economic development assistance from Georgia Tech, to industrialize the economy. But growth brought new challenges. Manufacturers needed technical support to stay competitive. In response, the Georgia General Assembly voted to establish the Georgia Tech Industrial Extension Service (now known as the GaMEP). This created statewide field offices that provide a direct link between industry and innovation, delivering on-site technical expertise to help manufacturers thrive.

“Our role is to support those manufacturers so together we can help grow the state’s economy — and we’ve been really successful at that,” said Tim Israel, GaMEP director and EI2 associate vice president for corporate engagement/firm-based programs. “In 2024, Georgia experienced a significant return on its investment with the GaMEP generating an impressive $294 for every state dollar allocated to manufacturing projects. This remarkable outcome highlights the critical importance of the state’s strategic investments in strengthening Georgia’s manufacturing sector.”

Over the past decade alone, the GaMEP has provided assistance and education to more than 3,900 manufacturers across 144 counties, helping them create or retain 14,500 jobs, invest $1 billion in capital improvements, realize $3.5 billion in sales, and save nearly $450 million in costs. The GaMEP primarily serves small- to medium-sized manufacturers with 75% employing less than 250 workers. Its top-served industries include fabricated metal products, food, machinery, and chemical and transportation equipment manufacturing.

“When Georgia manufacturers become more productive and profitable, they hire more people, pay better wages, and stabilize local economies, especially in rural and underserved areas of the state,” said David Bridges, EI2 vice president. “This also creates pathways for career advancement for frontline workers who might not have had previous opportunities.”

Today, GaMEP’s reach spans 10 regions across the state, each led by a dedicated region manager who lives and works locally, offering manufacturers direct, knowledgeable connections to its expert team, valuable resources, and diverse partners.

“The GaMEP has been a trusted collaborator and valued partner in strengthening manufacturing across Georgia,” said Lloyd Avram, Georgia Association of Manufacturers CEO and president. “Together, we’ve supported thousands of manufacturers statewide — helping them embrace innovation, improve operations, and remain competitive. We appreciate their extensive expertise and shared dedication to advancing the industry, and we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure Georgia remains one of the best states for manufacturing.”

GaMEP’s impact and success by region, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development regions:

Coastal Region

Counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Screven.
Manufacturers served: 269.
Jobs created/retained: 283.
Capital improvement investment: $23,171,292.
Costs saved: $1,645,061.
Sales realized: $13,965,000.
Success story: Roger Wood Foods.

East Region

Counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes.
Manufacturers served: 169.
Jobs created/retained: 3,899.
Capital improvement investment: $127,754,280.
Costs saved: $14,771,582.
Sales realized: $975,465,000.
Success story: Nutritional Resources.

East Central Region

Counties: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton.
Manufacturers served: 209.
Jobs created/retained: 621.
Capital improvement investment: $19,703,035.
Costs saved: $2,535,494.
Sales realized: $29,486,000.
Success stories: Creature Comforts Brewing Company and Poly Tech Industries.

Metro Atlanta Region

Counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale.
Manufacturers served: 1,601.
Jobs created/retained: 2,928.
Capital improvement investment: $235,763,480.
Costs saved: $112,083,262.
Sales realized: $844,679,890.
Success stories: Compass Technology Group, Construction Specialties, and Highland Forge.

Middle Region

Counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, and Wilkinson.
Manufacturers served: 170.
Jobs created/retained: 972.
Capital improvement investment: $121,814,846.
Costs saved: $8,810,950.
Sales realized: $300,213,400.
Success story: Unified Defense.

Northeast Region

Counties: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.
Manufacturers served: 280.
Jobs created/retained: 1,029.
Capital improvement investment: $88,443,395.
Costs saved: $63,999,228.
Sales realized: $259,453,900.
Success story: Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.

Northwest Region

Counties: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, and Whitfield.
Manufacturers served: 387.
Jobs created/retained: 1,090.
Capital improvement investment: $ $92,948,931.
Costs saved: $141,460,651.
Sales realized: $326,366,408.
Success story: Trenton Pressing.

South Region

Counties: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilcox.
Manufacturers served: 176.
Jobs created/retained: 969.
Capital improvement investment: $219,300,221.
Costs saved: $6,596,254.
Sales realized: $39,632,275.
Success story: Healthy Pet.

Southeast Region

Counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware.
Manufacturers served: 166.
Jobs created/retained: 281.
Capital improvement investment: $20,684,800.
Costs saved: $3,098,700.
Sales realized: $77,724,500.
Success stories: CJB Industries and South Georgia Pecan.

Southwest Region

Counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth.
Manufacturers served: 130.
Jobs created/retained: 130.
Capital improvement investment: $12,266,730.
Costs saved: $1,682,790.
Sales realized: $5,002,020.
Success story: Sweet Grass Dairy.

West Region

Counties: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, and Webster.
Manufacturers served: 111.
Jobs created/retained: 713.
Capital improvement investment: $37,948,131.
Costs saved: $3,197,600.
Sales realized: $69,588,348.
Success story: Oneda Corporation.

West Central Region

Counties: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, and Upson.
Manufacturers served: 234.
Jobs created/retained: 1,658.
Capital improvement investment: $90,750,763.
Costs saved: $89,931,074.
Sales realized: $615,900,002.
Success stories: Complete Truck Bodies and Mountville Mills.

For more information about GaMEP’s impact, including impact by county, visit gamep.org/statewide-impact.

About the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, serves manufacturers by offering solution-based assistance that promotes top-line growth and reduces bottom-line cost. The GaMEP, a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has advanced manufacturing and economic prosperity in Georgia since 1960. For more information, visit gamep.org and like/follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

Summary sentence

Gov. Brian Kemp recognizes GaMEP history and impact serving manufacturers in Georgia.

Summary

The commendation celebrates GaMEP’s commitment to supporting manufacturers across the state through educational opportunities and technical assistance.

Dateline

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 12:00

peralte@gatech.edu

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Péralte Paul
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Thu, 07/24/2025 - 18:42

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech

dgivens8 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:38:38 +0000

When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech dgivens8 Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:38

A hum of anticipation filled McCamish Pavilion as more than 150 attendees turned their attention to the arena floor, not for a basketball game, but to hear about the impact of scholarships at Georgia Tech. On April 5, Georgia Tech hosted the second annual Scholarship Brunch, an event that brings scholarship recipients together with their benefactors to celebrate the potential unleashed when talent meets opportunity. Rick Clark, Georgia Tech’s executive director of Strategic Student Success, served as master of ceremonies, and he opened by highlighting why scholarship assistance is so vital to attracting top talent from Georgia and beyond. “One thing we’ve found to be clear is that admissions without affordability is not access,” he said.

Clark was followed by Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, who recounted how a scholarship made it possible for him, “a middleclass kid from Madrid, Spain,” to come to Georgia Tech, earn his doctorate, and later return to serve as president. Like Clark, he underscored the urgency of making Tech affordable for top talent. “If we want to have the very best, smartest, kindest, most dedicated people” working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges, “we have to find them when they’re young and invest in them.”

Next, three current scholarship recipients and an alumna donor spoke. Fourth-year computer engineering student and Virginia native Elisa Miller recalled how scholarship support led her to Georgia Tech and how her education has positioned her for future success. While at Tech, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) awarded Miller a Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity, with a DOD job awaiting her upon graduation. She offered advice to current and future Tech students, urging them to “seize every opportunity you are given to tackle every challenge you face.”

JahWill Fannings, a fourth-year business administration student from West Point, Georgia, described how his scholarship validated a bet he placed on himself in high school: He would apply only to Georgia Tech, and if admitted, he would only attend if he could do so without incurring debt. Thanks to a G. Wayne Clough Tech Promise Scholarship, that bet paid off. Freed from financial burdens, Fannings was able to launch his second company, Flowst8, an AI-powered workflow tool for musicians and other creatives. He credits the network of students, mentors, and industry leaders he was able to connect with as key to his upward trajectory. “Georgia Tech is more than a school,” he said. “It’s an ecosystem designed to help us all build toward success.”

Tampa, Florida, native Sofia Mesa, a first-year civil engineering student and recipient of the Godbold Family Foundation Scholarship, spoke of her desire to attend the Institute from a young age. When family road trips took her family through Atlanta, she would plead with her parents to stop and visit Tech Tower and the Kessler Campanile. What most excites her about the future, Mesa said, is what a Georgia Tech diploma signifies. “It’s more than just a piece of paper. It’s a statement that says, ‘I endured, I grew, and bring it on, because I am ready for whatever you can throw at me.’”

Closing out the program was Ronda Sides, IE 1983, who, along with her husband Alan Sides, ME 1983, endowed her first scholarship in 1999. Sides described her family’s return to Georgia after 18 years abroad. Witnessing firsthand the transformation the Institute had undergone inspired them to give back. Fittingly, after hearing from students about what they gain from scholarships, Sides related the impact of giving on donors. “Students, I know how good it feels when you look into your accounts and you see the money that has flowed in,” she said. “We as donors look into our accounts, and we see the money that flowed out and was sent to you — and it’s an exponentially better feeling.”

Plans are underway for next year’s Scholarship Brunch, which will once again celebrate remarkable talent and extraordinary generosity. Business administration student JahWill Fannings 16 “Georgia Tech is more than a school. It’s an ecosystem designed to help us all build toward su

Summary sentence

On April 5, Georgia Tech hosted the second annual Scholarship Brunch, an event that brings scholarship recipients together with their benefactors to celebrate the potential unleashed when talent meets opportunity.

Summary

Dateline

Mon, 06/16/2025 - 12:00

justin.horton@dev.gatech.edu

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Source updated

Mon, 06/16/2025 - 15:38

Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier

admin — Fri, 02 May 2025 12:19:41 +0000

Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier admin Fri, 05/02/2025 - 08:19

Early on, Georgia Tech graduate students William Trenton Gantt and Hugh (Ka Yui) Chen imagined working in the space industry.

“When I was 14, I dreamed about being in space one day,” recalls Chen, 22, a native of Hong Kong and a Ph.D. student in aerospace engineering. “I think the industry has been making space more accessible to everyone. Commercialization is a big part of enabling this.”

Gantt, an engineer and former U.S. Army veteran graduating with an MBA from the Scheller College of Business this spring, remembered seeing the space shuttle retire and companies begin privatizing space as he entered young adulthood.

“I’ve always been interested in space, and a lot of it comes from the challenge of going to space,” he observes. “Seeing how hard it is to get to space and seeing it become achievable — that to me was the most attractive thing about it.”

For Gantt, the feeling always brings to mind John F. Kennedy’s famous line that spelled out America’s space ambitions: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

Recognizing Georgia Tech’s aerospace strengths, Gantt didn’t waste time building bridges within Scheller and in other parts of Georgia Tech. He founded the Scheller MBA Space Club, a first at the College, to track the industry as it grows and develops.

“I came from a military background, so I had my eye on the defense industry going into the MBA program. Georgia Tech, being the No. 2 aerospace engineering undergraduate school in the nation, I knew they already had strong industry connections. Making connections was a big goal coming into this program.”

Assessing Early-Stage Space Tech

He took part in the Entrepreneurship Assistants Program (EAP), which pairs a Scheller MBA student with a faculty or student inventor to evaluate early-stage technology for potential commercialization. He evaluated two space-related technologies, one with Chen’s support.

“The EAs conduct technology commercialization assessments and develop a business model canvas. By applying an entrepreneurial strategy compass, they predict potential go-to-market strategies for new technology,” says Paul Joseph, principal in the Office of Commercialization’s Quadrant-i unit, who created the EAP.

(See sidebar to read more about the EAP and the specific technologies assessed.)

Tapping Into a Nearly $2T Industry

According to McKinsey & Co., the space technology market, fueled by advancements in satellite technology, commercial space travel, and 5G networks, is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

“We're seeing an industry shifting from a multibillion-dollar market cap to a multitrillion-dollar market cap in less than a decade. If you look at this from a business perspective, this is a massive addressable market for entrepreneurs," says Gantt.

From its Center for Space Technology and Research to the new Center for Space Policy and International Relations and labs like the Space Systems Design Lab, which focuses on areas such as CubeSat propulsion, lunar research, and hypersonic flight, Georgia Tech excels in space research across disciplines. In July, Georgia Tech will launch the Space Research Institute (SRI), one of its newest Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI), to foster additional collaboration in this growing field.

“At Georgia Tech, there are competencies across every single College that will help to augment our understanding of space,” says Alex Oettl, professor of strategy and innovation in Scheller College, whose interest in the new space economy spans the last 20 years. “When you look at the technologies coming from Georgia Tech, they can impact this future trillion-dollar industry.”

An economist by training, Oettl led Georgia Tech’s involvement in the Creative Destruction Lab-Atlanta, a multi-university program that helped commercialize early-stage scientific technologies.

Leveraging Affordable Launch

The emergence of affordable launch, spurred by SpaceX’s introduction of the Falcon 9 rocket using reusable rocket technology, has made space much more accessible, from biomedical companies to academic institutions.

“Because there has been a drop in the cost of accessing space, it allows experimentation to flourish,” says Oettl.

He recalls Mark Costello, former chair of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, explaining how he could launch a CubeSat into Low Earth Orbit out of his research budget, whereas before it would have been cost-prohibitive.

Today, Georgia Tech students and researchers are poised to capitalize on the new space economy stack — from new launch capabilities to new development in propellants and in-space operations and maintenance to more powerful sensors on Earth-observation satellites.

“I’ve seen firsthand the traction occurring on the commercial side. There are a lot of social scientists waking up to the opportunity that exists and thinking about business dynamics that will emerge as a result of this great opportunity,” he says.

Georgia Tech, an interdisciplinary, tech-focused university, brings significant capabilities across its Colleges to drive new and emerging technologies that have implications for space.

“Space hits on all the strengths that exist at the various Colleges,” Oettl explains. “Faculty at Georgia Tech are pushing the boundary and showing our students innovations that will emerge in the space economy that are not immediately obvious — such as in adjacent industries.”

Oettl calls these first-order and spillover impacts of new technology. By first-order impacts, he means businesses can take advantage of these opportunities and create new products on top of the original innovation. By spillovers, he cites as an example an Earth-observation satellite enabling other industries to take advantage of data from the ground. For instance, insurance companies are one of the largest users of space technology by way of satellite imagery.

Bringing Capabilities Together Through New Space IRI

The SRI will bring together the best in engineering, computer science, policy, and business research across Georgia Tech. Along the way, it could help engineers and computer scientists think with a more business-minded approach to pitch their innovations to the commercial space sector.

“You don’t see a lot of engineers having that inherent ability,” notes Gantt. “The Space IRI can shine by fostering collaboration between business students and engineers, enabling them to develop innovative go-to-market strategies and clearly define the unique value propositions these technologies offer to end users. You can bring these people together and create some forward momentum in the space industry.”

Summary sentence

New space IRI and commercialization activities showcase space as an exciting destination for students and faculty.

Summary

New space IRI and commercialization activities showcase space as an exciting destination for students and faculty.

Dateline

Thu, 05/01/2025 - 12:00

Contact

News Contact: Laurie Haigh

Writer: Anne Wainscott-Sargent

Sidebar

Accelerating the Commercialization of Space Innovations

Gantt and Chen’s mutual passion for space came together through their participation in Georgia Tech’s Entrepreneurship Assistants Program (EAP). The program pairs a Scheller MBA student with a student or faculty researcher behind an invention to assess its market potential.

Gantt assessed the commercialization potential for two space-related technologies: an in-flight drone charging system offering both in-air and on-ground charging capabilities in a global drone technology market projected to reach $61.2 billion by the end of 2029. Each analysis took three to four months.

Gantt says the charging system for drones would provide real-time in-air refueling similar to what is done today on C-17 tankers.

“The drone market is very heavily regulated by the FAA, and the commercial aspects of drone usage are still in prototype development, says Gantt, who recommended that Georgia Tech license the technology rather than develop it through a startup.

The second project involved a CubeSat co-gas propellant system for spacecraft.

“With in-orbit propulsion systems, you want to make sure you’re maximizing the thrust. Our technology works with a two-phase propellant. Using a secondary tank allows us to maximize efficiency while ensuring only gas is expelled,” explains Chen, who was a researcher on the project.

To determine the device’s market appeal, Gantt conducted customer discovery interviews with smallsat manufacturers and a radar detection company.

“CubeSat customers are using hybrid propulsion systems, both gas and electric, to maximize the lifespan of their CubeSat assets and create as much value from them as possible,” says Gantt, noting that it’s much more attractive to take on less equipment. “Having a reduction in mass and complexity while delivering the same capabilities as cold-gas propulsion systems like this technology is attempting to do is something that's a big market need right now.”

Gantt’s market analysis led to a recommendation to license the technology rather than manufacture it. Chen and Gantt consulted with a U.S. Space Force CubeSat Acquisitions Officer about how to shape and structure technology proposals.

Chen will continue to advance the technology in the Low Gravity Science and Technology Lab, led by Álvaro Romero-Calvo, assistant professor in the Guggenheim School. The goal is for the technology to reach a Technology Readiness Level 8 or 9 so they can submit a proposal to integrate their cold-gas thrusters as a subsystem for a future Space Force mission.

“New missions now use swarm architectures or formation flying. This technology could potentially infer what it’s like to do in-orbit refueling,” says Chen on the system’s long-term value.

Both Gantt and Chen see immense value in the EAP to fuel their interest in space-based technologies and what’s driving the space industry.

“It opens your eyes to the industry as a whole,” says Gantt.

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Fri, 05/02/2025 - 08:17

Liquid Cooling Technology Developed at Georgia Tech Awarded U.S. Patent, Company Raising Capital to Scale

admin — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:25:41 +0000

Liquid Cooling Technology Developed at Georgia Tech Awarded U.S. Patent, Company Raising Capital to Scale admin Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:25

What’s the hottest thing in electronics and high-performance computing? In a word, it’s “cool.”

To be more precise, it’s a liquid cooling system developed at Georgia Tech for electronics aimed at solving a long-standing problem: overheating.

Developed by Daniel Lorenzini, a 2019 Tech graduate who earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, the cooling system uses microfluidic channels — tiny, intricate pathways for liquids — that are embedded within the chip packaging.

He worked with VentureLab, a Tech program in the Office of Commercialization, to spin his research into a startup company, EMCOOL, headquartered in Norcross.

“Our solution directly addresses the heat at the source of the silicon chip and therefore makes it faster,” Lorenzini said. “Our design has our system sitting directly on the silicon chips that generate the most heat. Using the fluids in the micro-pin fins, it carries the heat that’s produced away from the chip.”

That cooling solution is directly integrated into the electronic components, making it significantly more efficient than conventional cooling methods, because it enhances the heat dissipation process.

The result is a much lower risk of overheating and reduced power consumption, he said.

Lorenzini, who researched and refined the technology in the lab of Yogendra Joshi at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, was awarded a patent for the technology in September 2024.

Now, EMCOOL, which has five empoloyees, is actively pursuing venture capital funding to scale its technology and address the escalating thermal management challenges posed by AI processors in modern data centers.

The system uses a cooling block with tiny, pin-like fins on one side and a special thermal interface material on the other. There's also a junction attached to the block, with ports for the fluid to flow in and out. The cooling fluid moves through the micro-pin fins and helps to carry away the heat.

Since the ports are designed to match the shape of the fins, it ensures that the fluid flows efficiently and the heat is dissipated as effectively as possible at chip-scale.

As electronic devices — from high-performance personal computers to data centers used for artificial intelligence processing — become more powerful, they generate more heat. This excess heat can damage components or cause the device to underperform.

Traditional cooling methods, which include fans or heat sinks, often struggle to keep pace with the increasing demands of the newer model electronics. Lorenzini’s microfluidic system addresses the challenge of overheating with his patented, more effective, compact, and integrated cooling solution.

With the guidance of Jonathan Goldman, director of Quadrant-i in Tech’s Office of Commercialization, Lorenzini secured grant funding through the National Science Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance to further the research and build design prototypes.

“We immediately had the sense there was commercial potential here,” Goldman said. “Thermal management, or getting rid of heat, is a ubiquitous problem in the computer industry, so when we saw what Daniel was doing, we immediately began to engage with him to understand what the commercial potential was.”

Indeed, the initial focus for the technology was the $159 billion global electronic gaming market. Gamers need a lot of computing power, which generates a lot of heat, causing lag.

But beyond gaming systems, the company, which manufactures custom cooling blocks and kits at its Norcross facility, is eyeing more sectors, which also suffer from overheating, Goldman said.

The technology addresses similar overheating electronics challenges in high-performance computing, telecommunications, and energy systems.

“This work propels us forward in pushing the boundaries of what traditional cooling technologies can achieve because by harnessing the power of microfluidics, EMCOOL's systems offer a compact and energy-efficient way to manage heat,” Goldman said. “This has the potential to revolutionize industries reliant on high-performance computing, where heat management is a constant challenge.”

Summary sentence

EMCOOL's technology solves overheating in electronics.

Summary

With support from Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization, VentureLab, NSF, and GRA, EmCool now manufactures custom cooling solutions in Norcross, GA for gaming, high-performance computing, and more.

Dateline

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:00

peralte@gatech.edu

Contact

Péralte C. Paul
peralte@gatech.edu
404.316.1210

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Office of Commercialization

venturelab

Jonathan Goldman

Daniel Lorenzini

EMCOOL

liquid cooling technology

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Economic Development and Policy

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681839

Source updated

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:24

SHES Collaborates with University of California San Francisco to Assess Pork and Poultry Worker Safety

admin — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:45:41 +0000

SHES Collaborates with University of California San Francisco to Assess Pork and Poultry Worker Safety admin Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:45

ATLANTA and SAN FRANCISCO — When University of California San Francisco (UCSF) officials were contracted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct research on line speeds at pork and poultry processing facilities, they knew exactly who to ask for additional support: researchers from the Safety, Health, and Environmental Services (SHES) division at Georgia Tech.

A program housed in Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, SHES offers occupational safety, health, and environmental (OSHA) consulting and training services to manufacturers across the country and has worked extensively examining food-processing workers’ exposure to chemicals.

UCSF needed a partner with specific scientific expertise regarding employee exposure to a chemical used to limit bacterial growth during pork processing. SHES’ prior working relationship with UCSF also proved beneficial. In 2021, SHES industrial hygienist Brandon Philpot was the primary investigator (PI) for a collaborative project with a group from the UC system to develop safety training for workers fabricating engineered stone countertops.

“UC San Francisco’s School of Medicine was so impressed with our team's work, they came back to us for this much larger project,” said Jenny Houlroyd, Ph.D., manager of occupational health services at SHES. “We're trying to build meaningful relationships and leverage expertise across institutions.”

Study Parameters

The study was initiated when the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service division contracted with third-party experts to investigate whether increases in poultry and swine evisceration line speeds affected worker safety.

A secondary aspect of the study looked at the potential for an increase in worker exposure to peracetic acid (a food-safe chemical applied to surfaces in certain food-processing applications) when processing line speeds are increased.

“The study’s designers believed that ergonomics was the driving factor in worker safety, but they were unsure if by slaughtering and processing more animals per day, workers were also applying more peracetic acid,” said Houlroyd. “This is what the SHES team was asked to measure.”

In addition to tapping Georgia Tech’s expertise in industrial hygiene, UCSF brought in several other schools in the University of California system, primarily UC Berkeley, to assist with research.

Scope of SHES’ Role

“Our work with UC started in July 2024 and was completed in January 2025,” said Houlroyd, who served as the project’s PI and UC liaison.

Conducting the field research were SHES industrial hygienists Philpot, Sean Castillo, and Bob Hendry, as well as SHES OSHA Training Institute Education Center manager Hilarie Warren. The group traveled to six pork processing plants across the U.S. over 11 weeks.

Although the preferred method for industrial hygiene and worker exposure is to chart direct exposure to the workers themselves, the study did not allow employees to wear chemical monitors on the processing line for safety reasons.

“Our on-site sampling included putting on a variety of wearable monitors on ourselves,” Hendry said. “We’d then go to the various work areas in the plant where peracetic acid was used, stand next to the workers, and take readings.”

Each SHES team member upheld consistent sampling standards, but they were stationed at different sites. As a result, Castillo said, “It was up to us to use professional judgment to evaluate where the areas of concern were. We had to make sure we were very organized so that if I was at one site one week and Bob came out the next week, we could replicate our data almost one-to-one.”

Importance of Worker Interviews

The USDA study received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, which is needed if researchers interact with human subjects. Houlroyd noted that because the USDA study was considered formal research, IRB approval was necessary.

Although conducting worker interviews was not a requirement of their participation, the SHES team set up a special room where they interviewed employees on ergonomic issues and musculoskeletal disorders.

“We were able to take the load off from our collaborators and, in doing so, speed up their process so that they could finish their research earlier,” said Castillo.

Philpot stressed the importance of worker interviews to the study. “The process was good for collecting background information on what the employees were going through, day in and day out, to see if there’s anything that we could do to help their situation.”

By putting workers at ease, he and his teammates were able to gain their trust and listen to their concerns. “They could actually see that we cared about what's going on,” Philpot said.

According to Houlroyd, “One of the reasons the UC group loved Brandon and Sean and Bob so much is that we've had so much experience doing interviews, we were quick to jump into that role and help them. Our team knows that there is dignity in all labor, so we approach workers with respect. We meet the workers where they are, and we speak to them not as an academic, but human to human.”

Study Results

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su reported that the USDA study found that faster line speeds did result in an increased risk of injuries, but that this risk “could be mitigated with other controls, specifically having more workers on the line and having effective ergonomic plans.”

The results of the peracetic acid research conducted by SHES, however, were inconclusive. “Was there more exposure at the faster line speed?” asked Houlroyd. “We found one plant where it was true, but it wasn't consistently true at all the plants, so it was determined that there should be more research.”

Regardless, she welcomed the chance to strengthen collaborative ties with the UC system and celebrated the meticulous and compassionate work conducted by SHES.

“I am so grateful for this team for traveling to remote locations in our country and spending 11 weeks in slaughterhouses,” said Houlroyd. “I had no doubt that we could do it, and we did it well.”

Summary sentence

The group traveled to six pork processing plants over 11 weeks.

Summary

The project was designed to optimize worker safety.

Dateline

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:00

etolpa3@gatech.edu

Contact

Eve Tolpa
etolpa3@gatech.edu

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Safety Health and Environmental Services

food safety

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681833

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Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:45

Four Startup Lab Students Selected for 2025 Immersive Cohort at SXSW

dgivens8 — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:10:41 +0000

Four Startup Lab Students Selected for 2025 Immersive Cohort at SXSW dgivens8 Fri, 04/04/2025 - 10:10

Four students from Startup Lab have been selected to join the 2025 immersive cohort at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Alex Aridgides (mechanical engineering and economics), Shinhai Chen (industrial engineering), Varuni Chopra (industrial engineering), and Christie Peng (computer science) are the first Georgia Tech students to be invited to the program.

The weeklong, all-expenses-paid program offers university-affiliated innovators the chance to refine their innovations, engage in customer discovery, and network with industry leaders and peers at SXSW. The annual festival celebrates technology, film, music, education, and culture. Students participated in a competitive application process, which involved submitting applications, meeting specific evaluation criteria, and being selected by a panel of industry experts, mentors, and SXSW organizers.

Yolanda Payne, the students’ Startup Lab instructor, presented the SXSW opportunity in class.

"My goal is to be their biggest cheerleader,” she explained. “I had great teachers who helped me get to where I am today, and I strive to emulate their support. I’m always willing to guide students toward new opportunities."

She learned about the SXSW immersive cohort from Nakia Melecio, director of the National Science Foundation I-Corps Southeast Hub. The $15 million initiative crosses nine major research universities in the southern U.S. and accelerates the translation of deep tech research into commercial ventures. The hub works closely with entrepreneurial faculty, students, and researchers to equip them with the tools, networks, and support to bring their innovations to market.

Melecio plays a central role in identifying and advancing strategic opportunities for university partners and their entrepreneurial teams. “When the opportunity to participate in SXSW arose, I recognized it as an ideal platform to showcase the talent and innovation coming out of our region.”

Melecio added that Startup Lab is ideal for amplifying NSF I-Corps’ goals because of the course’s proven track record of fostering hands-on learning and commercialization readiness. “Startup Lab helps prepare students not just to think entrepreneurially, but to act on their ideas with confidence and a structured path forward. It was a natural fit for this opportunity.”

Payne says the experience students gained in Startup Lab helped prepare them for the immersive cohort. “The knowledge is being solidified by an experience you’re having in my class and the real world.”

Chopra agrees that Startup Lab teaches essential business development fundamentals and customer discovery principles, skills that are relevant to the SXSW program. She recommends the course to other students and emphasizes the value of combining engineering or technical backgrounds with entrepreneurship skills.

“We take a lot of classes that are directly related to our major, and they're very technical. But when it comes to wanting to start something of your own or even understanding how startups work, it's completely different than the rest of our coursework.”

Startup Lab is a three-credit course that focuses on evidence-based entrepreneurship. This hands-on class covers ideation, teamwork, customer discovery, minimum viable products, the business model canvas, and other topics. Students learn how to launch a startup by integrating in-class lectures with practical, out-of-class activities, including interviewing potential customers and refining their startup ideas based on real-world feedback.

The program provides access to valuable resources, mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, and a supportive community to help students develop their startups. Startup Lab and NSF I-Corps are also exploring other industry showcases for student entrepreneurs like SXSW.

Chen chose Startup Lab to pursue his entrepreneurial interests. “I knew that Georgia Tech had a really good startup culture, so I researched what they had to offer, and Startup Lab was the first step." He also noted Payne's impact as an instructor. "The best part is how much she cares about the topic. She has a lot of background knowledge and is passionate.”

Startup Lab is unique because it "de-risks the business model,” Payne says. Many entrepreneurs first build their products and then talk to potential customers. However, Startup Lab students perform customer discovery, sharing their ideas with potential end users, listening to their needs and feedback, and then building the product.

Peng recalls a powerful moment of pitching an idea for an app to streamline MARTA operations. “I had a fun time coming up with this idea. We learned a lot about interviewing, coming up with possible solutions, and refining our idea,” she says. "Being surrounded by so many brilliant individuals at Georgia Tech makes it easy to get idea formation or networking connections you need for your idea to succeed."

Aridgides has ambitious post-program goals, envisioning creating change through entrepreneurship. "I want to start a company to change the world for the better and make a big impact. That's my life goal. I think through a company, I can achieve that."

Payne reminds students that they possess something many adults lack: time to explore different ideas. She also says Startup Lab can help students value and see their ideas in new ways.

“They don't recognize that the product they're working on could be pursued through entrepreneurship or think of themselves as entrepreneurs. And even if they don't pursue it, it helps them in all aspects of life because business and capitalism are part of what we do every day.”

If you’re a student interested in adding entrepreneurship to your course schedule, registration for the summer and fall semesters opens on April 15. In addition to Startup Lab, students also have the opportunity to build a prototype with support through Idea to Prototype and CREATE-X Capstone Design.

Summary sentence

Four Georgia Tech students—Alex Aridgides, Shinhai Chen, Varuni Chopra, and Christie Peng—have been selected for the 2025 immersive cohort at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, where they will refine their innovations and network with industry le

Summary

Four Georgia Tech students from Startup Lab—Alex Aridgides, Shinhai Chen, Varuni Chopra, and Christie Peng—have been selected for the 2025 immersive cohort at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. This weeklong, all-expenses-paid program allows university-affiliated innovators to refine their innovations, engage in customer discovery, and network with industry leaders. The students were chosen through a competitive application process and are the first from Georgia Tech to be invited. Their instructor, Yolanda Payne, emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and entrepreneurial skills gained through Startup Lab.

Dateline

Fri, 04/04/2025 - 12:00

breanna.durham@gatech.edu

Contact

Contact

Article by Alyson Key

CREATE-X Contact:

Breanna Durham

Marketing Strategist

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Source updated

Fri, 04/04/2025 - 10:10

Finding Niche Problems to Solve with SuperStream

dgivens8 — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:25:41 +0000

Finding Niche Problems to Solve with SuperStream dgivens8 Fri, 03/28/2025 - 11:25

While Idea to Prototype (I2P) students gear up to demonstrate their innovations during this spring’s I2P Showcase, let's revisit the fall showcase with last semester’s third-place winning team, SuperStream.

Founded by John-Wright Stanly, a fourth-year computer science major, SuperStream addresses companies’ audience engagement problem by enabling video previews through shared URLs.

Q&A With SuperStream's Sole Founder, John Wright Stanly

What made you want to pursue this idea?
Stanly: I did a startup three years ago, and we failed miserably. While doing that, I was trying to build in-house and share videos through links. I realized that nothing currently on the internet that I could find was actually solving this issue. Basically, the standard around sharing videos and links is very complicated, and we simplify that process for companies. Even though it's very small and particular, I wanted to be the first person that would solve this problem.

What surprised you about the I2P process?
I did I2P last semester, and I've already pivoted once in the idea. I don’t have all the answers. I’m just starting, and I think it's really cool that a course like this exists at George Tech, where you can be supported and figure things out in the first stages, maybe in three months.

What was your favorite part of I2P?

I think it's the meetups. We get to see what everyone else is working on.

What was the most challenging part of I2P?
I think the most challenging part was being a solo entrepreneur. Honestly, just finding the time in my day.

What advice would you give to other students considering entrepreneurship?
I think entrepreneurship is not as scary as it seems. We're really lucky that we go to a university where it’s supported. I think that Georgia Tech students take it for granted how enriched the ecosystem is here. My friends at other schools don't really have the same support. So, when you go to a school that is as supportive as that, I think you should totally take the leap of faith.

Want to be part of the next wave of technological advancements? Register for the Spring 2025 I2P Showcase to see our latest cohort of I2P inventors and their prototypes. The event takes place April 21, 5 p.m., in the Marcus Nanotechnology Building Atrium.

For those interested in taking I2P, course registration opens for the summer and fall semesters on April 14. The I2P course offers undergraduate students research credit, up to $500 in reimbursement for physical material expenses, faculty mentorship, and the opportunity to compete in the I2P Showcase. Winners receive golden tickets to CREATE-X’s Startup Launch program, a summer accelerator that provides $5,000 in optional seed funding; $150,000 in in-kind services (including accounting and legal support); mentorship; entrepreneurial education; and more. Winners also advance directly to the semifinal round of the InVenture Prize, a faculty-led innovation competition.

The I2P course opens three times a year: in the spring, summer, and fall. Both undergraduate and graduate students can take the course, and undergraduate students can take it up two times. For more information, visit the I2P program website.

Subtitle

Summary sentence

SuperStream, founded by John-Wright Stanly, a fourth-year computer science major, won third place in last semester's Idea to Prototype (I2P) Showcase by tackling the challenge of audience engagement through video previews via shared URLs.

Summary

SuperStream, founded by John-Wright Stanly, a fourth-year computer science major, won third place in last semester's Idea to Prototype (I2P) Showcase. SuperStream tackles the challenge of audience engagement by enabling video previews through shared URLs. Stanly's journey began with a failed startup, which inspired him to simplify the process of sharing videos and links.

Dateline

Fri, 03/28/2025 - 12:00

breanna.durham@gatech.edu

Contact

Breanna Durham

Marketing Strategist

Keywords

SuperStream

John-Wright Stanly

Computer Science

audience engagement

video previews

shared URLs

startup

Idea to Prototype Showcase

Georgia Tech

entrepreneurship

research credit

material reimbursement

faculty mentorship

I2P course

technological advancements

CREATE-X

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seed funding

in-kind services

mentorship

entrepreneurial education

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founders

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Business

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Student Competition WInners (academic, innovation, and research)

Mercury ID

681429

Source updated

Fri, 03/28/2025 - 11:25

Georgia Tech Leads the Way in AI Literacy with OpenAI Academy Collaboration

admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:03:39 +0000

Georgia Tech Leads the Way in AI Literacy with OpenAI Academy Collaboration admin Thu, 03/27/2025 - 09:03

The demand for AI education is clear, and Georgia Tech, along with the new OpenAI Academy, is poised to meet this need by offering opportunities and resources to advance public knowledge in this emerging field.

This exciting new partnership between Georgia Tech and the OpenAI Academy is aimed at advancing AI education. This collaboration is part of the academy's initiative to create a publicly available, free online resource hub designed to support AI literacy and provide access to essential tools, best practices, and peer insights for effective and responsible AI use.

The OpenAI Academy, which initially focused on in-person programs for developers and technical users, is now expanding its reach to a broader community. This includes educators, students, and small business owners. The goal is to unlock new opportunities for learning, economic mobility, growth, and innovation by empowering more people to confidently use AI.

The new online hub will feature an expanding library of on-demand content, including educational materials created by partners like Common Sense Media. In the coming months, the academy will continue to grow its offerings, adding new resources and in-person AI literacy workshops. These workshops will be hosted in collaboration with higher education institutions such as Georgia Tech and Miami Dade College.

As part of Tech AI Fest 2025, Georgia Tech hosted an AI literacy workshop Tuesday, March 25. This event was Georgia Tech’s premier AI gathering, bringing together researchers, industry professionals, policymakers, and students for discussions on the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. The workshop, held at the East Architecture Building, provided hands-on learning experiences and showcased the practical applications of AI in various fields.

The partnership between Georgia Tech and OpenAI Academy underscores Tech's commitment to advancing AI education and ensuring that AI literacy is accessible to everyone. By participating in this initiative, the Institute aims to provide learners with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in an AI-powered economy, ultimately benefiting local communities and fostering innovation.

Summary sentence

New OpenAI Academy at Georgia Tech offers education and resources to advance public knowledge in one of the top fields globally.

Summary

Georgia Tech has teamed up with OpenAI Academy to transform AI literacy through an innovative online resource hub and dynamic hands-on workshops. This pioneering initiative aims to democratize AI education, reaching a diverse audience that includes educators, students, job-seekers, and nonprofit leaders. The collaboration kicks off with an exciting AI literacy workshop at Tech AI Fest 2025, where participants will engage in practical learning experiences and explore cutting-edge AI applications. By making AI education accessible and empowering individuals to thrive in an AI-driven economy, Georgia Tech is leading the charge in shaping the future of technology and innovation.

Dateline

Thu, 03/27/2025 - 12:00

media@gatech.edu

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Georgia Tech Media Relations

Institute Communications

Keywords

OpenAI Academy

Georgia Tech

AI literacy

AI education

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innovation

economic mobility

community learning

Educators

students

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partnership

expanding library

on-demand content

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681407

Source updated

Thu, 03/27/2025 - 09:03

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School Shootings Lower Spending by Millions in Affected Communities

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Scientists Pinpoint Hazards for Engineered Stone Fabrication Shop Workers

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Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service

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When Talent Meets Opportunity: Celebrating the Impacts of Scholarships at Tech

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Propelling Georgia Tech to the Final Frontier

Assessing Early-Stage Space Tech

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Liquid Cooling Technology Developed at Georgia Tech Awarded U.S. Patent, Company Raising Capital to Scale

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SHES Collaborates with University of California San Francisco to Assess Pork and Poultry Worker Safety

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Four Startup Lab Students Selected for 2025 Immersive Cohort at SXSW

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Finding Niche Problems to Solve with SuperStream

Q&A With SuperStream's Sole Founder, John Wright Stanly

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Georgia Tech Leads the Way in AI Literacy with OpenAI Academy Collaboration

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