HIKE2 Applauds Historic Energy + AI Investments in Pittsburgh, Signals Readiness to Scale Innovation

Founder Amanda Wodzenski says the real work begins now as HIKE2 prepares to turn momentum into progress

PITTSBURGH, PA – July 17, 2025 — HIKE2, a Pittsburgh-based innovation consultancy, is celebrating the groundbreaking announcements made at the inaugural Pennsylvania  Energy and Innovation Summit this week in Pittsburgh, where more than $90 billion in new investments in AI infrastructure, energy, and workforce development were unveiled. The firm’s founder, Amanda Wodzenski, calls the moment “a validation of years of groundwork” and a launching pad for transformational growth in the region.

Companies like Blackstone and Google pledged tens of billions toward data, AI, and the modernization of Pennsylvania’s historic hydro and coal energy sites, all reinforcing Pittsburgh’s stronghold as a national innovation epicenter.

“To see Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh at the center of these once-in-a-generation investments is so exciting,” Wodzenski shares. “We’re no longer on the sidelines—we’re the headline, with real commitments for AI infrastructure and transformative energy projects taking shape in our city.”

A second major theme at the Summit was the positioning of Pennsylvania—especially Pittsburgh—as a leading AI and energy hub. The Summit drew high level, bipartisan support, underscoring the region’s unique blend of technical talent, existing energy assets, and research universities. Leaders directly called out how Pittsburgh’s legacy in energy and engineering makes it “uniquely positioned to drive the AI revolution,” linking the city’s history to the country’s digital future.

“This sort of focused attention from government and industry leaders confirms what we’ve been working toward at HIKE2 since 2019,” Wodzenski adds. “As a pacesetter throughout the rise of artificial intelligence, we’ve helped companies modernize, invest in digital transformation, and build collaborative partnerships—everything the Summit put front and center.”

The third highlight was the Summit’s commitment to new workforce development and AI education initiatives, including Google’s “AI Works for America” program and collaborations with local universities for upskilling in cybersecurity, AI, and advanced manufacturing. This focus dovetails with HIKE2’s mission:

• Empowering organizations to leverage modern tools, platforms, and methodologies to innovate and thrive through human-centered digital transformation

• Leading digital transformation initiatives for highly regulated organizations

• Preparing both their internal teams and clients for the future
  

“Excitement is just the beginning—action is where we thrive,” concludes Wodzenski. “The investments and energy from the Summit are fuel for our mission at HIKE2: to ensure that every Pittsburgh organization has the tools, knowledge, and partnerships to not just participate but lead in this new era.”

HIKE2’s work throughout the last six years aligns directly with the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit’s pillars. Most recently, the firm gathered more than 300 business trailblazers from across the United States for the HIKE2 Innovation Summit 2025, its annual marquee event centered on exploring and preparing for the future of work. Attendees learned from a diverse group of industry experts, examined timely workforce topics and reimagined what is possible tomorrow – all in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

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About HIKE2

HIKE2, a leading technology advisory and implementation services firm, helps businesses reimagine what’s possible in an era of constant technological disruption. They partner with organizations in the legal, financial services, insurance, business services, and high-tech SaaS industries to solve complex challenges with cutting-edge cloud solutions, AI-driven innovations, agentic initiatives, and robust data & analytics governance programs. Our best-in-class advisory services ensure clients stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.