Key Takeaways
- Microsoft and Black Tech Street launched the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district, housed in the GEM building.
- The lab is part of the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, funded by $10.6 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program.
- Tulsa’s broader Tech Hubs coalition received $51 million in federal support to become a national leader in autonomous systems, drones, robotics, and intelligent mobility.
- The initiative features two main components: ASPIRE (AI education and workforce development) and the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab for collaborative AI‑powered innovation.
- Initial lab work focuses on startups/enterprise innovation, critical infrastructure security, autonomous systems, and responsible AI development.
- Strategic partners include Lumen Technologies (applied AI, cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience) and Tulsa Public Schools (Elevate program for educator training and AI career pathways).
- Community leaders emphasize the lab’s role in modeling inclusive, security‑first AI innovation while honoring Greenwood’s historic legacy of entrepreneurship.
Overview of the Launch
Microsoft and Black Tech Street announced the opening of the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab, a new technology hub dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. Situated inside the Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton (GEM) building in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district, the lab aims to unite startups, enterprises, researchers, and public‑sector organizations to co‑create next‑generation AI solutions. The initiative reflects a shared vision of leveraging cutting‑edge technology to drive economic opportunity and community resilience.
Location and Historic Significance
The GEM building, a cornerstone of the Greenwood community, provides a symbolic home for the lab. Placing the facility in this district underscores a commitment to revitalizing an area renowned for its early‑20th‑century Black entrepreneurship, often referred to as “Black Wall Street.” By situating the lab opposite the middle school Tyrance Billingsley II attended, the project connects personal heritage with a forward‑looking mission to position Tulsa as a national exemplar of community‑focused AI innovation.
Federal Tech Hub Designation and Funding
In 2024, Tulsa was designated a Federal Tech Hub under the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program, recognizing its leadership in autonomous systems. The Tulsa Innovation Labs‑led coalition secured $51 million in federal funding to develop the region as a national center for advanced autonomy technologies, including drones, robotics, and intelligent mobility systems. Of this amount, $10.6 million was earmarked specifically for the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, which serves as the artificial intelligence pillar of Tulsa’s broader Tech Hub strategy.
Structure of the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence
The Greenwood AI Center of Excellence was conceived and is operated by Black Tech Street in partnership with Microsoft and SeedAI. Its dual mission combines workforce development, education, and applied technology innovation to help organizations and communities comprehend and adopt AI responsibly. By integrating academic outreach with hands‑on lab work, the center seeks to create a sustainable ecosystem where technical expertise meets community needs.
Core Components: ASPIRE and the Cyber + AI Lab
The initiative comprises two primary pillars. First, ASPIRE (AI Societal Program for Innovation, Research, and Education) focuses on AI fluency, workforce development, and technology education for learners of all ages. Second, the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab provides a collaborative environment where Microsoft engineers and technology leaders work alongside external partners to build AI‑powered solutions addressing real‑world challenges. Together, these components aim to bridge skill gaps, spur entrepreneurship, and accelerate the deployment of trustworthy AI technologies.
Strategic Focus Areas of the Lab
Initial activities within the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab will concentrate on four strategic domains:
- Startups and enterprise innovation – supporting nascent ventures and established firms in prototyping AI‑driven products.
- Critical infrastructure security – enhancing resilience of energy, transportation, and communications systems against cyber threats.
- Autonomous systems – advancing research on drones, robotics, and intelligent mobility platforms.
- Responsible AI development – embedding ethical guidelines, transparency, and security measures into AI design and deployment.
These focus areas align with Tulsa’s Tech Hubs agenda and Microsoft’s broader commitment to secure, inclusive AI advancement.
Partnership with Lumen Technologies
Microsoft announced an initial collaboration with Lumen Technologies, a longtime partner and major regional employer. Through the lab, Lumen will contribute expertise in applied artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and infrastructure resilience, while also supporting community engagement initiatives. Sean Alexander, Lumen’s SVP of Connected Ecosystem, highlighted that the partnership aims to turn AI ambition into tangible impact by leveraging Lumen’s trusted network and regional presence.
Engagement with Tulsa Public Schools
In tandem with Black Tech Street, Microsoft is working with Tulsa Public Schools via its Elevate program to foster district‑wide AI readiness. The effort includes educator training modules, the creation of AI‑focused career pathways, operational productivity improvements, and exploration of Microsoft Copilot tools to streamline administrative workflows. By equipping teachers and students with AI literacy, the program seeks to cultivate a homegrown talent pipeline that can sustain the region’s tech ecosystem.
Reflections from Tyrance Billingsley II
Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and CEO of Black Tech Street and the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, described the opening as a culmination of years of collaborative work. He emphasized the emotional resonance of housing the lab in the GEM building—across from the school he attended—and expressed pride in contributing to a model for community‑centric AI innovation that the nation can emulate as it seeks global leadership in this transformative technology.
Insights from Michael Salazar
Michael Salazar, General Manager of the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab at Microsoft, noted that the lab creates a unique forum for founders, researchers, technologists, and community partners to responsibly develop and deploy technologies with real‑world impact. He stressed that rapid technological progress must be paired with security, trust, and broad opportunity, and affirmed Microsoft’s commitment to working alongside Black Tech Street, Tulsa Innovation Labs, and other partners to demonstrate how communities can harness emerging tech to empower people and organizations.
Broader Community Perspectives
Sean Alexander of Lumen underscored that the AI era will be shaped not only by technology but also by the communities influencing its creation and use, expressing enthusiasm for supporting initiatives emerging from the lab. Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation Labs, called the opening a powerful milestone that validates the Tech Hubs strategy by linking world‑class partners, cutting‑edge technology, and community‑rooted talent to build globally competitive innovation. Monroe Nichols, Mayor of Tulsa, praised Black Tech Street for helping shape the city’s future while honoring Greenwood’s historic legacy of vision and economic opportunity, anticipating lasting benefits for residents, businesses, and future generations.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab represents a strategic convergence of federal investment, corporate expertise, nonprofit leadership, and local engagement aimed at positioning Tulsa as a national hub for responsible AI and autonomous systems development. By anchoring advanced technology in a community with deep entrepreneurial roots, the initiative aspires to deliver tangible economic growth, enhanced cybersecurity resilience, and a skilled workforce prepared for the AI‑driven economy. As the lab’s programs mature, its outcomes could offer a replicable blueprint for other regions seeking to balance innovation with inclusivity, security, and lasting community impact.