It's official: Microsoft's regional artificial intelligence hub has a home in Louisville

Ben Tobin | Courier Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Microsoft, Louisville announce partnership to explore AI technology Louisville is partnering with Microsoft to explore the future of artificial intelligence, Mayor Greg Fischer announced Friday.

Microsoft's artificial intelligence partnership with Louisville officially has a home.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer joined Jennifer Byrne, chief technology officer of Microsoft U.S., to cut the ribbon Wednesday afternoon at Story Louisville powered-by-Microsoft on 900 E. Main St., which will house the tech giant's Future of Work Initiative.

“Artificial intelligence and internet of things are the future of technology," Fischer said. "Through our alliance with Microsoft, Louisville will serve as ground zero for how we prepare our workforce and our companies for the next tech revolution and will do so with a focus on equity and inclusion."

The Future of Work Initiative is part of Microsoft's creation of a regional hub in Louisville to focus on artificial intelligence, internet of things and data science. The partnership was announced in June.

According to a recent report from the Brookings Institution, Louisville ranks eighth among metropolitan areas in risk of losing jobs to automation. The report states that 28.6% of Louisville's jobs are at "high risk" of being automated.

A central purpose in this partnership is to make sure Louisville is well-equipped for the technological revolution, according to Grace Simrall, chief of Civic Innovation and Technology for Louisville Metro Government.

Background: Microsoft and Louisville announce partnership

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"Experts know that automation and AI are coming," Simrall previously told The Courier Journal. "They know that they will probably destroy tasks and potentially even jobs faster than we can replace them if we don't do something about it."

Fischer also announced Wednesday afternoon that Ben Reno-Weber, a social entrepreneur and project director of the independent, nonpartisan civic data initiative The Greater Louisville Project, will serve as director of the Future of Work Initiative.

The initiative's team will work with area businesses and nonprofit, start-up and workforce development organizations to provide training and skills for Louisville's workforce to adjust to technological challenges of the coming years.

Microsoft will also partner with preschool through higher education institutions to work on digital literacy training for students.

“This alliance has a strong focus on investing in equity and inclusion," Reno-Weber said in statement. "We intend for this tech revolution to empower all Louisville citizens to participate in the full range of opportunities created."

People interested in joining the Future of Work Initiative team can apply at loutechworks.org/futureofwork.

See also: Humana partners with Microsoft to 'reimagine health for aging populations'

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.