From smarter military drones and data-driven warehouses to expanding business leadership and legal expertise, Pittsburgh Technology Council members are making moves.
There's never a dull moment across Pittsburgh's technology and business community. Whether it's securing federal research contracts, partnering with one of the world's leading universities or bringing new talent into key leadership positions, Pittsburgh Technology Council members continue to demonstrate the region's depth of expertise.
Here's a look at four recent announcements showcasing that momentum.
Artificial intelligence is moving fast. But when AI is controlling military drones and robots, getting things right isn't optional.
Johnstown-based Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), working with its technology transition affiliate Enterprise Ventures Corporation (EVC), has secured a nearly $2 million, two-year contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The project focuses on developing advanced methods to test and validate AI-powered autonomous systems under realistic military operating conditions.
CTC and EVC will tackle an important challenge: the lack of standardized approaches for testing how AI and machine learning systems perform across diverse mission environments.
The award marks CTC's first prime DARPA contract since 2012 and builds on its AI Assurance research dating back to 2018.
The goal? Making sure tomorrow's autonomous military systems operate safely, reliably and as intended, even when conditions get complicated.
From intelligent drones to intelligent distribution centers, the next stop is the warehouse floor.
Wexford-based Lucas Systems is collaborating with Carnegie Mellon University to help warehouse supervisors make smarter workforce planning decisions using advanced data analytics.
Warehouses generate mountains of data, but turning those numbers into actionable decisions remains a major challenge.
Through the collaboration, master's students in CMU's Applied Data Science program analyzed hundreds of warehouse-related data attributes to develop predictive models.
The research could help supervisors better allocate workers, optimize tasks and improve productivity without relying solely on experience and intuition.
Lucas Systems believes these advances could eventually benefit thousands of logistics operations.
It's another example of Pittsburgh's academic and industry expertise joining forces to tackle real-world business challenges.
Of course, technological growth also requires the legal expertise to navigate increasingly complex business and regulatory environments.
Pittsburgh-based law firm Babst Calland has welcomed Forrest D. Paul as an associate in its Public Sector and Real Estate, Land Use, and Zoning practice groups.
Paul brings experience in land development, zoning, real estate transactions, code enforcement and municipal contracting.
Before joining Babst Calland, he served as an assistant solicitor with the City of Pittsburgh Law Department, advising on municipal legal matters.
A 2022 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Paul adds to the firm's capabilities serving public-sector, real estate and development clients.
And speaking of building for the future, PWCampbell is strengthening its business development efforts beyond Pennsylvania.
The Pittsburgh-based company has named John Lewis Regional Vice President of Sales for Ohio and Michigan.
Lewis brings extensive experience working with banks and credit unions, most recently serving as a Client Account Executive at Diebold Nixdorf.
His background includes ATM fleet optimization, cash automation, managed services and self-service banking technologies.
In his new role, Lewis will help financial institutions rethink their branch networks, physical spaces, branding and technology strategies while expanding PWCampbell's presence across both states.
It's a strategic move for a company helping financial institutions modernize how they serve customers and communities.
From developing trustworthy AI to transforming logistics and expanding professional expertise, these announcements reflect the diversity of Pittsburgh's technology ecosystem.
Different industries. Different challenges. One common thread: Pittsburgh Technology Council members are building what's next.