The Brook T. Smith Launchpad hosted its third annual Business of AI Symposium in downtown Clemson this week. The one-day event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and students to discuss AI’s role in business and community development. Held at a central downtown venue, the symposium featured keynote talks, panel discussions, and startup demos. Topics included AI for manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, ethical AI, and strategies for scaling AI startups. Organizers reported attendance of roughly 400 participants, up about 20% from last year, reflecting growing local interest in applied AI.
Speakers included university faculty, regional startup founders, and several venture investors. Panels focused on practical adoption: how small and medium businesses can implement AI, ways to access seed funding, and workforce reskilling. A startup pitch session awarded $15,000 in seed grants to two early-stage teams working on AI-driven supply chain optimization and precision agriculture.
The Launchpad used the symposium to announce a new mentorship program linking local startups with industry advisors and a summer internship pipeline for Clemson students. Organizers said the aim is to turn research into jobs and help regional firms adopt AI responsibly. Attendees praised the event’s mix of technical insight and business advice. Breakout sessions offered hands-on workshops on data strategy, model deployment, and compliance basics. Sponsors included regional economic development groups, local tech firms, and university programs.
As AI adoption spreads beyond big tech, the Brook T. Smith Launchpad’s symposium highlights how smaller cities can build AI ecosystems through education, funding, and industry partnerships. The third annual event positions Clemson as a growing hub for practical, community-focused AI innovation.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1: When and where was the symposium held?
The one-day Business of AI Symposium took place this week in downtown Clemson at a central venue hosted by the Brook T. Smith Launchpad.
Q2: Who attended and spoke at the event?
About 400 attendees included students, entrepreneurs, investors, faculty, and regional startup founders; speakers covered AI applications, ethics, funding, and workforce reskilling.
Q3: What were key outcomes announced?
Organizers announced a mentorship program, a summer internship pipeline, and awarded $15,000 in seed grants to two AI startup teams.