A monthly digital newsletter designed to help friends and supporters stay abreast of the positive developments about the Institute that they might have missed on more traditional media outlets.
Earlier this month, we had the honor of welcoming José Andrés to campus to recognize him with this year’s Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage. Some of you may be familiar with José, the Michelin-starred chef and successful restaurateur turned media celebrity. His accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider he is a self-made immigrant from Spain who came to this country as a young man in 1991 with a lot of talent and big dreams, but few resources. But that’s not why he received the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize.
Earlier this month, Tractian, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup valued at over $700 million, announced it would be moving its headquarters to the Coda building in Tech Square. CEO Igor Marinelli told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that some of his first employees were Georgia Tech graduates — and that he wanted many more. Being right next door to Georgia Tech, he decided, would give the company direct access to what he called “unmatched talent density.”
As I read the news, I reflected on how many things have changed in our neighborhood since I was a student in the 1990s and how much we — not just Georgia Tech, but also our city and our state — owe to the bold vision that, 25 years ago, led to the emergence of Midtown Atlanta as a thriving innovation district.
I just got back from Davos, Switzerland, where I had a chance to take the pulse of the global economy from an impressive group of leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum — and where I also got to share the remarkable Georgia Tech story! You have surely read the geopolitical headlines that came out of this year’s meeting, but there was much more going on. And one topic in particular dominated every conversation: artificial intelligence.
After celebrating the graduation of nearly 6,900 new Yellow Jackets this past weekend, my heart is full, and — to paraphrase the song — my hand hurts so good! It is truly special to think that so many extraordinary people are leaving Georgia Tech ready to solve problems, innovate, invent, and lead. It never gets old! When everything is said and done, that is our why: to make the world a little better by developing the people who can and will make a difference.
