Pittsburgh has all the advantages to lead the nation in commercializing AI, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette op-ed shares
PITTSBURGH - Just as steel once powered Pittsburgh’s rise as an industrial giant, artificial intelligence is reshaping the region’s economic future. In an op-ed published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Joanna Doven and Dan Adamski outlined how the city is uniquely positioned to lead the next industrial revolution — one driven by AI, energy, and critical infrastructure.
AI's growing demands — particularly in computing and energy — require massive data centers and the infrastructure that supports them. Pittsburgh’s vast natural gas reserves, Westinghouse’s advancements in nuclear energy, and an abundance of industrial land give the region a rare advantage in attracting hyperscalers and colocation providers. With coordinated efforts to prepare shovel-ready sites, Pittsburgh could unlock billions in private investment, job creation, and tax revenue.
In addition to infrastructure, Pittsburgh’s strengths in defense and healthcare further position it as a national AI leader. From CMU’s AI and robotics innovations to pioneering technologies in defense and medicine, the region has the ingredients to drive national security advancements and next-generation healthcare solutions.
Doven and Adamski argue that time is of the essence. As other regions race ahead, Pittsburgh must act boldly and strategically — leveraging its energy assets, research institutions and economic ecosystem — to become a dominant force in the AI-driven economy.