Artificial intelligence (A.I.) is set to reshape the economic geography of America, benefiting midsize cities in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and South that have the right attributes to thrive. A recent study by labor economists Scott Abrahams and Frank Levy identified nearly two dozen metropolitan areas expected to benefit from A.I. technology.
These cities share key characteristics such as an educated workforce, affordable housing, and workers in occupations less likely to be disrupted by A.I. Chattanooga, Tennessee, is one such city poised for growth. Its cluster of trucking companies, freight brokers, shippers, and transportation tech companies makes it an attractive location for start-ups.
Chattanooga has already seen the adoption of A.I. in various sectors, including its city-owned utility EPB, which offers fast internet service and experiments with quantum computing. The city government is also experimenting with chatbot technology to answer citizens’ questions about local laws and regulations.
Start-ups like Shappi, a shipping consumer goods company, have also benefited from Chattanooga’s location and talent pool. Karla Valdivieso, co-founder of Shappi, cited the ample pool of educated workers and affordable housing as key factors in recruiting top talent to her start-up.
As A.I. continues to transform the workforce, cities that adapt and invest in this technology are likely to thrive. The study’s findings highlight the importance of understanding the geographic implications of A.I. adoption and preparing for its impact on the economy and labor market.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/technology/ai-economy-workers.html