There’s No Denying Pittsburgh’s Place As an AI Innovation Hub

This article originally appeared in the Pittsburgh Business Times | Sept. 14, 2026

As global leaders gather in Pittsburgh this week for AI Horizons 2026, HIKE2 applauds Joanna Doven and the AI Strike Team for spotlighting a truth we have known for nearly a decade—not only is Pittsburgh a leading AI innovation hub; it is also a destination where workplace solutions are discovered and forged into real-world applications.

Pittsburgh’s leaders have a long-standing history of viewing AI as a tool to enhance the workforce. Here, civic leaders and businesses work together to set the standard for embracing and deploying AI Innovation.  

Just six months ago, we welcomed Mayor Corey O’Connor to our 2026 Innovation Summit. During an energetic and informative conversation with Gerardo Interiano, Aurora’s Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, the Mayor highlighted Pittsburgh’s evolution beyond an “Eds and Meds” city into a thriving tech ecosystem.

And we’re doing it the right way. Pittsburgh continues to embrace its unique culture, affordability and strong sense of community while also forging ahead into its next era of opportunity. Our thriving universities, such as Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, continue to attract some of the world’s top talents, who in turn enhance and build out our growing innovation districts. The City of Pittsburgh, under Mayor O’Connor’s leadership, is utilizing a guidebook built on responsible AI adoption, underscoring a belief that many of our region’s leaders share–AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, public servants.

These are just a handful of the reasons why some of the world’s top minds continue to gather in Pittsburgh at AI Horizons. Alongside Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, County Executive Sara Innamorato and Mayor O’Connor, this year’s distinguished group will help influence and build the policies that will carry AI practices across industries.

HIKE2 is thrilled to again join the conversation at AI Horizons. We work each day to help our clients define their business transformation strategy, figure out how to make best use of AI tools, and build a solid framework for deployment. The insight we will gather at the conference will undoubtedly help our clients become better companies for their customers. 

Most importantly, we are excited to see Pittsburgh shine (again!) under the global spotlight. Nothing makes us prouder than to see such tremendous thought leadership gather in our own backyard.

HIKE2 has always believed that Pittsburgh is a solutions-driven destination. Our community continues to thrive through thoughtful collaborations, and we want to be part of the next wave of advancements taking shape throughout our region.

It’s why we’re doubling down on Pittsburgh. Our team and operations continue to advance, allowing us to not only strengthen our roots but also to grow our local footprint. We look forward to highlighting these developments at our annual Innovation Summit, set for  April 7, 2027, at City Winery Pittsburgh. 

The conversations happening this week at AI Horizons will continue to influence and shape AI policy and practice long after the conference concludes. At HIKE2, we stand directly on the front lines—building and implementing these technologies every day and seeing firsthand how quickly they’re evolving, shifting and advancing. There’s no better place to be part of this world-shaping moment in technology than Pittsburgh, and we can’t wait to see what comes out of this community next. 

HIKE2 is a business transformation partner that helps organizations navigate complex change and achieve better business outcomes. We put people at the center and bring together the right strategy, technology and expertise to solve hard problems. We work shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients from strategy through execution, helping them build capability, drive adoption and turn change into meaningful outcomes.