The city’s Smart Corridor, EPB’s Quantum Network, the Novonix battery materials and technology company, and Volkswagen’s Battery engineering lab are among the kinds of “world-class resources” drawing business startups to Chattanooga, according to Tasia Malakasis.
She ought to know—Malakasis is CEO of Chattanooga’s CO.LAB startup accelerator.
And the startups, Malakasis said, “are already well-versed in (AI) technology, and they’re coming to the table with very creative solutions using AI.”
Her observations come within a conversation that kicks off Season 2 of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative podcast series: “CH-AI Brews: Infusing Conversations About AI.” An excerpt of the episode featuring Malakasis debuted today on WUTC-FM, airing during NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
She is the first of series of high-profile civic and business thought leaders who spoke with the student-led CH-AI Brews podcast about the impact of AI on their organizations and in Chattanooga.
Asked by CH-AI Brews host and UTC graduate student Daniel Duggin about potential growth in AI-related skills and knowledge expected of workers, Malakasis was emphatic: “Without a doubt, 100%. I feel like AI is going to penetrate almost every industry, and you’re not really going to be able to separate innovation out from AI. It’s going to be a part of advancing almost all of our technologies.”
Malakasis was named CEO of CO.LAB in 2022. She has also been manager of the organization’s Founders Fund since January 2024. Malakasis has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama-Huntsville and is a graduate of the Harvard University Young American Leaders program.
Follow and Listen to Season 2
Listen to the full conversation with Malakasis or follow the “CH-AI Brews” podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Season 2 episodes air on Mondays on WUTC-FM 88.1.
Among the UTC AI initiative’s goals is reporting on how faculty and students are incorporating AI into their classrooms and their lives, toward helping the community and students become more comfortable and capable with the technology.
Upcoming episodes of CH-AI Brews Season 2 will include conversations with leaders in government, civic and cutting-edge business concerns.
UTC Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Vicki Farnsworth leads the University’s AI Initiative.
To offer feedback, suggest a topic or ask a question, email UTC-AI@utc.edu.
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