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Introduction

Florida is quickly becoming a hub for innovative forms of technology, with many companies setting up shop in the state to take advantage of its strong emerging technology infrastructure. One such technology that has attracted recent attention is artificial intelligence (AI), a technique that synthesizes and infers information—sometimes looking like magic, despite its computational and logical roots. While companies have been working to incorporate AI into their businesses for years, the boom in interest around OpenAI's ChatGPT has led to increased attention. From using AI to tackle agricultural and environmental problems to predicting the next COVID variant, Florida is home to many companies using AI technology to uncover important connections within massive data sets in order to increase efficiency and user satisfaction. Some examples of Florida companies incorporating AI into their businesses are UF Health, which is researching patient data and AI programming to assist physician decision-making and potentially improve patients' environment, and Shutterstock, which has partnered with OpenAI to offer AI-generated stock imagery. Even Florida police officers in Broward County and Pinellas County are using an advanced AI algorithm and facial recognition software, called Clearview, to identify suspects far more quickly than conventional methods.

There are many reasons why Florida is becoming such a popular destination for AI companies. One of the major drivers is the state's strong emerging technology infrastructure, which includes government grants, tax incentives, and a wealth of Florida-based AI research institutions. Artificial intelligence techniques depend on massive data and cloud computing centers, which in turn rely heavily on affordable electricity, and Florida has electric rates roughly 30% lower than the national average and is one of only four states that exempt electricity sales tax. Furthermore, Florida does not have any state income tax for individuals, which presumably is luring tech entrepreneurs and individuals who service those entrepreneurs, such as venture capitalists, to live and work in the state. Shutterstock, for example, has made significant investments in AI technology and in the state of Florida.

Research Institutions and Curriculum of Schools in Florida Create Strong AI Foundation

As part of Florida's AI infrastructure, multiple Florida institutions are working to advance AI technology, create public-private partnerships, and create a strong foundation for AI job talent in the state, making it an attractive place for companies and researchers to do business. Florida research institutions have partnered to create a regional economic development initiative. Led by the presidents of the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, and University of South Florida, the state has created the Florida High Tech Corridor. The Corridor brings together a 23-county region in Florida that extends from the Suncoast to the Space Coast. The Corridor exists to help align opportunities and resources in academia, industry, and economic development to unleash the region's potential to exponentially increase the speed of AI work. The program supports entrepreneurs and researchers through its trusted partnerships with Florida-specific accelerators, incubators, innovation centers and venture capitalist firms. In addition, the universities and corporate partnerships provide research grants for faculty and students, and community grants for community-driven technology initiatives.