Emerging Technologies Roundtable

Understanding the Possible Impacts of Emerging Technologies on the Atlanta Region

Initiated in 2021, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Emerging Technologies Roundtable is comprised of subject matter and issue experts from the Metropolitan Atlanta community. Roundtable members meet quarterly to explore, advise, and report on the ways in which emerging technologies may impact how we will live, work and travel in our region over the coming decade and beyond. Following each Emerging Technologies Roundtable (ETR) meeting, a report is published that summarizes the meeting themes and explores possible future scenarios. The reports are designed to better prepare ARC staff, constituents, and the governments we serve to plan for preferred outcomes by providing actionable insights on plausible futures.

Topic Areas and subtopics:

Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Bias, Generative AI
- Muhammed Ahmed, November 2021: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- Dr. Nashlie Sephus, July 2022: Responsible Artificial Intelligence
- David Giguere, March 2023: AI Policy and Regulation Primer
- Dr. Justin B. Biddle, April 2023: AI, Ethical and Societal Implications, and Policy
- Jon Neiditz, April 2023: Model Code for Local Governments using Generative AI
- Steve Williams, October 2023: Preliminary Guidance on the Use of GenAI Tools
- Jon Neiditz, December 2023: Developing Model Code with Generative AI
Infrastructure and Connected Communities: 5G/6G, IoT, Smart Cities, V2X, Digital Twin
- Brandon Branham, February 2022: Connected Communities
- Matthew Reeves, August 2024: Digital Twins
Energy, Climate, Water and Environment: Small Modular Reactors, Solar, Wind, Wave, Grid, Water Technology, Electrification and Resilient Systems
- Mark Lauby, February 2022: Energy, Electrification and Resiliency
- Dr. Marilyn A. Brown, April 2022: Alternative Futures for Solar Power in Georgia
Transportation: Micromobility, Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Advanced Air Mobility, Drones
- Laura Rogers, November 2021: Transportation Technology
- Andrew Heath, P.E., January 2023: EVs and Electrification
Virtual Presence and Gaming: Extended Reality, Metaverse and Gaming
- Elizabeth Strickler, April 2022: The Virtual is Real
- Yolanda A. Barton, September 2023: Historic Preservation through Immersive Technology
Manufacturing and Construction: Nanotech, Materials, Housing Innovations, 3D-Printing
- Robert Herrig, January 2023: Future Trends in Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Supply Chain and Logistics: Autonomous Guided Vehicles/Mobile Robots, Freight, Intermodal
- Robert Herrig, January 2023: Future Trends in Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Fintech: Distributed Ledger Technology, Cryptocurrency, Smart Contracts, Non-Fungible Tokens
- Jim Jaquish, July 2022: The Effects of Cryptocurrency Mining on the Atlanta Region
Food and Agriculture: Vertical Farming, Synthetic Food, Bioreactors
Robotics and Automation: Humanoid Robots, Human-Robot Collaboration/Cobots, Ind/Pro Robots, RPA
Aging and Health: Biotech, Synthetic Biology, Cellular Health, Brain-Computer Interface, Augmented Humans
Safety and Security: Public Safety, Crime, Cybersecurity, Trust, Biometrics
Computing: Quantum, Software, Systems Integration
The Intersection of Emerging Technologies and Community
- Jon Neiditz, April 2023: Model Code for Local Governments using Generative AI
- Jon Neiditz, December 2023: Developing Model Code with Generative AI
The Intersection of Emerging Technologies and Arts
- Jessica Anderson, July 2022: The State of Digital Art in Atlanta
The Intersection of Emerging Technologies and Ethics & Equity
The Intersection of Emerging Technologies and Economy (Innovation, Production and Economics)
The Intersection of Emerging Technologies and Work & Workforce Development

Upcoming Meetings

No upcoming meetings have been scheduled at this time. Please check back later.

Previous Meetings

Q2 2024 Meeting

June 3, 2024 | 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Welcome and Introductions: David Giguere, ARC; ETR Co-Chair Kerry Armstrong, ARC; Mayor Tom Reed, ETR Co-Chair and Mayor of the City of Chattahoochee Hills
Presentation on What is Participation in a Data-Driven City?: Dr. Carl DiSalvo, Associate Professor in the College of Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Adjourn

Whitepaper: Digital Twins

Q1 2024 Meeting

March 12, 2024 | 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Welcome and Introductions: David Giguere, ARC; ETR Co-Chair Kerry Armstrong, ARC; Mayor Tom Reed, ETR Co-Chair and Mayor of the City of Chattahoochee Hills
Presentation on GDOT’s Advanced Air Mobility Community Guidebook: Dr. Clement Solomon, Director of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Intermodal Division
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Advanced Air Mobility

Q4 2023 Meeting

December 8, 2023 | 1:15-3:15 p.m.

Welcome and Introductions: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission and Mayor Tom Reed, ETR Co-Chair and Mayor of the City of Chattahoochee Hills
Presentation on Developing Model Code with Generative AI: Jon Neiditz, ETR Member & Partner at Kilpatrick Townsend focusing on Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Governance.
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Developing Model Code with Generative AI

Q3 2023 Meeting

September 8, 2023 | 10:00a.m. - Noon

Welcome and Introductions: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on Historic Preservation through Immersive Technology: Yolanda A. Barton, Founder, Inclusion Architect, and Immersive Storyteller at RevereXR
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Historic Preservation through Immersive Technology

Q2 2023 Meeting

April 27, 2023 | 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.

Welcome: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Societal Impacts: Dr. Justin B. Biddle, Director of the Georgia Tech Ethics, Technology, and Human Interaction Center (ETHICx)
Proposed Schedule for upcoming meetings
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Artificial Intelligence: Policy, Ethical and Societal Implications & Model Code for Local Governments using Generative AI

Q1 2023 Meeting

January 18, 2023 | 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.

Welcome and New Member Introductions: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on EVs, Electrification and Future Modes of Transportation: Andrew J. Heath, P.E., Deputy Chief Engineer at Georgia Department of Transportation
Presentation on Trends in Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing: Robert F. Herrig, Director of Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing at the Metro Atlanta Chamber
Proposed Schedule for upcoming meetings
Adjourn

Meeting Report: EVs and Electrification & Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing

Applied Future Scenarios

October 20, 2022 | 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

Welcome: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Strategic Foresight: Who, Why and How: David Giguere, Atlanta Regional Commission
Review your Four Futures: Roundtable Members
Exploring Two Strategic Foresight Tools: David Giguere, Atlanta Regional Commission
Craft Future Scenarios: Roundtable Members
Adjourn

Q3 2022 Meeting

July 29, 2022 | 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m.

Welcome and Introductions: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on Responsible AI: Dr. Nashlie Sephus, Applied Science Manager at Amazon AI and Founder/CEO at The Bean Path
Presentation on The State of Digital Art in Atlanta & Possible Futures: Jessica Anderson, Research Scientist and Director of DataWorks at Georgia Institute of Technology
Proposed Schedule for upcoming meetings: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Responsible Artificial Intelligence & The State of Digital Art in Atlanta

Q2 2022 Meeting

April 27, 2022 | 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m.

Welcome and Introductions: Anna Roach, Executive Director and CEO, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on Alternative Futures for Solar Power in Georgia: Dr. Marilyn A. Brown, Regents’ Professor School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology
Presentation on Virtual Presence: Elizabeth Strickler, Senior Lecturer and Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at Creative Media Industries Institute at Georgia State University
Proposed Schedule for upcoming meetings: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Alternative Futures for Solar Power in Georgia & The Virtual is Real

Q1 2022 Meeting

February 25, 2022 | 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

Welcome and Accomplishment Summary: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on Energy, Electrification and Resiliency: Mark G. Lauby, Senior VP and Chief Engineer at North American Electric Reliability Corporation
Presentation on Connected Communities: Brandon Branham, CTO and Assistant City Manager at the City of Peachtree Corners, Georgia
Topic Suggestions: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Adjourn

Meeting Report: Connected Communities & Energy, Electrification and Resiliency

Introduction to Future Scenarios

February 11, 2022 | 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

An Introduction to Future Scenarios: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission

Q4 2021 Meeting

November 19, 2021 | 3:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.

Welcome: Doug Hooker, Executive Director, Atlanta Regional Commission
ARC’s Region and Groups: An Overview: Mike Alexander, Center for Livable Communities Director, Atlanta Regional Commission
Emerging Technologies: The Perspective of an Elected Official: Mayor Tom Reed, City of Chattahoochee Hills
Emerging Technologies Roundtable Structure and Process: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Presentation on Transportation Technology: Laura Rogers, The Ray and Mayor Reed
Presentation on Artificial Intelligence: Muhammed Ahmed, Mailchimp and Mayor Reed
Future Scenarios and Post-Meeting Survey: David Giguere, ETR Co-Chair, Atlanta Regional Commission
Closing Remarks: Chairman Kerry Armstrong, Atlanta Regional Commission
Adjourn