Oregon, Leading the Way in AI Innovation and Environmental Technology
Step into the lush green forests of Oregon and it’s easy to forget that you’re standing in one of the leading states for AI innovation and environmental technology. Our diverse landscapes, from the breathtaking beaches of the Pacific Coast to our proud Mt. Hood, may seem a world away from the rapid advancement of modern technology, but here, in this juxtaposition, we truly find our strength.
From local start-ups to internationally renowned companies like Intel whose largest and most comprehensive site is nestled in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon has firmly positioned itself on the frontier of artificial intelligence. We’re working hard to nurture an ecosystem that allows for technological innovation to thrive beside the Willamette River, as comfortably as our native Chinook salmon.
Artificial Intelligence in the Silicon Forest
It used to be that the term “Silicon” automatically pointed one further south, but now folks are talking about our own Silicon Forest. Our growing tech sector, with Portland at its heart, is rivaling other traditional tech hubs and sprinting ahead in AI innovation. Portland State University’s Business Accelerator, a petri dish of homegrown AI start-ups, is truly a sight to behold.
Local companies like ZOOM+Care are revolutionizing healthcare with AI-driven diagnostics, and Torch 3D, whose founders cut their teeth in Silicon Valley, are pioneering the use of AI in virtual and augmented reality. Our tech folks ain’t just into microchips and Stumptown coffee — we’re pushing the frontier of AI, one line of code at a time.
Trailblazing a Greener Path
You don’t get to live in one of Mother Nature’s favorite playgrounds without developing a love and respect for the environment. The environmental tech industry in Oregon is as vibrant as the blooms in Portland’s Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden each spring. Work in this sector involves innovative resource usage and preservation to keep our state as green as the moss clinging to every tree in the Columbia River Gorge.
Businesses centered around environmental technology are flourishing right alongside our state flower, the Oregon Grape. Take gLō, for example, an Ashland-based company that’s changing the way we think about building by prioritizing energy efficiency in its architectural designs, or Pacific Light Technologies in Portland, using quantum dots for cleaner energy applications.
Up in Bend, Onboard Dynamics is turning heads with a natural gas compressor that’s as portable as your favorite Pendleton blanket. And back in Portland, Energy Storage Systems is making significant strides in the development of environmentally-friendly, iron flow batteries to store renewable energy. Because, as we Oregonians know, when a term like “sustainable” is part of your everyday lingo, it’s not just a fad—it’s just what you do.
An Alliance for a Geared-Up Future
When it comes to these industries, Oregonians know that we are stronger when we join forces. We have the Oregon Bioscience Association and the Technology Association of Oregon, connecting brilliant minds and helping to ensure that investments in our tech sector come faster than an Oregon Ducks wide receiver.
Oregon’s AI and environmental technology scene is a whirl of activity set against the gorgeous backdrop of our natural landscapes, from Crater Lake to the Painted Hills. We’re preserving what makes Oregon so uniquely Oregon while standing at the forefront of AI and environmental technology innovation.
Take a hike along the Historic Columbia River Highway or a leisurely stroll down Pearl District’s First Thursday Art Walk. Soak up the majestic views, the vibrant culture, the palpable creativity. Then remember this crazy juxtaposition — it’s what makes us Oregonians. It’s why we’re leading the way in AI innovation and environmental technology.
So, whether you’re an interested tourist, an intrigued techie, or a proud local, strap on your favorite pair of Danner boots, grab a locally brewed IPA, and be ready to explore more of what makes Oregon the trailblazer that she is. Your journey into Oregon’s wonder-filled intersection of nature and technology awaits.