Charlotte is well-positioned to thrive in an AI future, a new study finds. But experts warn that same technology could cause workforce shifts that deepen the city’s disparities.
Why it matters: The more prepared Charlotte is to lead in an AI-driven economy, the less likely it is to be a victim of it.
- “The nation’s general readiness to benefit from AI is critical,” the Brookings Institution report states, “because the technology is going to play a significant role in economic development given its potential to drive efficiency, innovation, and productivity in every industry.”
Zoom in: Brookings ranked the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro among 28 “Star Hubs” — the second-strongest tier for AI ecosystem behind “Superstars,” a grade only bestowed on the dominant tech hubs of San Francisco and San Jose.
- Brookings researchers say Charlotte scored well and balanced across three pillars: talent, innovation and business adoption. With nearly 7,000 job postings requiring AI skills, Charlotte stood out as a place where AI is being integrated into existing businesses.
- The metro also performed strongly in measures such as the number of engineering graduates, online profiles with AI skills, AI research papers and patents granted, and the number of AI startups.
Yes, but: AI is feared to bring widespread job displacement. Based on conversations with AI executives, Axios’ Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen report that once technologies are advanced enough, AI could wipe out tens of millions of jobs in a very short time…