AI advocate says tech firms overlook rural America until they need data center space

AI advocate says tech firms overlook rural America until they need data center space

OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. — As artificial intelligence grows into a roughly $600 billion global market, some Ohio Valley residents are watching the technology’s expansion — and talk of possible data centers moving into the region — with concern.

A Pittsburgh-based company called Live has launched a nationwide program aimed at high school students that pairs math lessons with a humanitarian approach to artificial intelligence, with hopes of bringing the program to the Ohio Valley. The effort is intended to help set up the next generation of AI developers.

Po-Shen Loh, founder of Live and a Carnegie Mellon University professor, said he wants technology advancement to be shaped by people who understand communities that have often been overlooked.

“I've noticed that a lot of times, technology companies don't really seem to pay a whole lot of attention to places in the middle of the country until they somehow need the space for data centers and somehow they're our good friends, so what I'm trying to do is make sure from the very beginning, a lot of this advancement in technology is led by people who have a deep understanding of the real needs and the real lives of the people who live all across to all parts of the world that weren't paid attention to in the beginning,” Loh said.

Live is actively looking to partner with Ohio Valley high schools.