Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina took a bold step in shaping its artificial intelligence future as state leaders, industry innovators, and AI experts gathered for an AI symposium during the annual South Carolina Research Authority Summit.
The event was initiated by Representative Jeff Bradley, Chairman of the South Carolina House Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity Committee, and hosted by Bob Quinn, President & CEO of SCRA, and Lee MacIlwinen, Director of SCRA’s SC Launch program, in collaboration with AI product and tech leader Alka Roy. Sponsored by the State of South Carolina, the half-day symposium brought together public, private, and academic leaders to explore artificial intelligence’s impact across manufacturing, supply chain, workforce development, and public policy.
Alka Roy, founder of RI Labs and The Responsible Innovation Project, offered practical strategies in her keynote, “Beyond Hype: How to Build an AI Strategy that Works for You.” She then moderated a high-impact panel with Representative Bradley, Bob Quinn, Susie Shannon, SC Council on Competitiveness, Marcus Branner, BMW Manufacturing Co., and Dr. Matthew Krugh, Clemson University, who shared current initiatives that are underway in South Carolina. “AI tools are being released every day, and we want to make sure South Carolina is using them to build a stronger state, while putting the right safeguards in place,” added Representative Bradley, whose leadership was instrumental in bringing the event to life.
The event wrapped up with collaborative roundtable discussions to surface real-world challenges and recommendations across three core areas: AI in Industry, AI in Public Policy, and AI in Workforce Development and Training. “Everyone is looking for practical ways to navigate AI,” said Alka Roy. “We designed this symposium to help South Carolina’s leaders continue to shape their future with AI, grounded in what matters most to their community and economy.”
A forthcoming AI Symposium Report, made available through the new AI Symposium HUB, will share key findings and actionable recommendations from the roundtables and post-event surveys. Those interested in shaping the future of AI leadership in South Carolina are encouraged to contact SCRA to get involved.
Themed “Founders First,” the annual SCRA Summit celebrated the hard work of founders who are fueling the state’s innovation economy.
###
About SCRA
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
About RI Labs, LLC
RI Labs helps leaders make AI work for their ecosystems and bottom line through strategic assessments, tools, and actionable frameworks for practical, human-centered innovation, rilabs.ai
Media Contact
Adrianne Grimes
SCRA Director of Marketing and Communications
