SC Competes Spring Summit on tech highlights industry leaders and focuses on education
Via ABC4 Charleston
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The South Carolina Council on Competitiveness’ Spring Summit kicked off this week, premiering a three-day event that features top leaders from aerospace, logistics, battery manufacturing, recycling, robotics, A-I and more, as they strive to shape the future of technology in the Palmetto State.
Tech leaders say South Carolina is already leading in technology with more than $8.5 billion in GDP annually. They say events like these are critical since there is a growing reliance on technology across all sectors.
This event is critical because over the last four years we’ve seen more than $15 billions of investment in the battery sector in South Carolina. So, we convene this event to bring together experts, industry, academia, to support this fast-growing industry sector in the state,” Suzanne Dickerson, Director SC Fraunhofer Alliance said.
The event showcases emerging technologies, allows experts to share insights and creates opportunities for professionals to connect. The Spring Summit features 70 speakers, tech demos from Lowcountry companies, and multiple interactive robotics demonstrations from SC Competes robotic dog named PAL.
Susie Shannon, President and CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, said, “Since we live in that collaborative framework and we want to make sure we’re looking forward. We’re springing forward in a lot of leadership ideas and technology and automation and battery electrification, the circular economy. We’re actually bringing in presenters and faculty experts and thought leaders from not just across South Carolina, not just across the United States, but across the world, bringing them into downtown Charleston in order to learn from each other.”
Shannon saidthe event highlights cutting-edge technologies, breakthrough research, and collaborative efforts that are shaping South Carolina’s future. She said this also allows them to debut and conduct research and further workforce development.
This year there’s a little bit of everything for everyone because we’re seeing a lot of economic growth in South Carolina. We’re seeing a lot of diversifications in our economic portfolio. We’re seeing a lot of talent development, particularly around automation and technology,” Shannon said.
The SC Council on Competitiveness is celebrating 20 years of technology leadership. Shannon said, “one of the things we’re doing is working with others to roll out an AI curriculum in the high schools in the fall.”
Students say it’s important to their future. University Of South Carolina student Braden Guliano has worked with SC Competes since he was in middle school. He led the robotic dog demonstration.
“The ability for students and future employees to be able to understand how the technology works and how to use it and how to really excel in that field is so important,” he said.
It’s a chance to define future career paths as technology advances and innovation creates industry. It also helps educators see what STEM opportunities students should be introduced to.
Kim Christ, Director of Education and Workforce Innovation at SC Competes, said, “It creates an opportunity that students, educators, and industry can come together and learn from each other.”
She said the event builds the economy because it allows us to have that conversation. “Where are we going? Where do we need to invest? What is it that we actually need to be focused on heavily?”
Christ said these types of events allow people to create that connectivity between industry, education, and government. She said one of the educational programs they are excited about in the upcoming school year is a new Artificial Intelligence pathway for kindergarten through 12th grade students at 30 schools across the state including Morningside Middle School in North Charleston.