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Summary:

– Microsoft and Black Tech Street launched the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab in Tulsa‘s historic Greenwood district.

– The lab focuses on AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and workforce training programs.

– The project is backed by federal Tech Hubs funding and private industry partners.

TULSA — Microsoft and Black Tech Street have opened the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district, establishing a collaborative technology hub focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and autonomous systems.

The lab is housed in the Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton building and operates as part of the broader Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, an initiative anchored in Tulsa’s 2024 designation as a Federal Tech Hub for autonomous systems. Tulsa Innovation Labs led the coalition that secured $51 million in federal funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program, with $10.6 million directed to the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence.

Designed and operated by Black Tech Street in partnership with Microsoft and SeedAI, the lab hosts Microsoft engineers and researchers and provides access to advanced AI and cybersecurity technologies. Its initial work focuses on four areas: startup and enterprise innovation, critical infrastructure security, autonomous systems, and responsible AI development.

The center includes two components: the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab and ASPIRE, an education and workforce development program aimed at expanding AI fluency across the community. Microsoft is also collaborating with Tulsa Public Schools through its Elevate program to support AI readiness for educators and students. Lumen Technologies has announced initial collaboration plans with the lab focused on applied AI, cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience.

“The United States will need a model to look to for how to catalyze impactful and community-focused AI innovation,” Tyrance Billingsley II, founder and CEO of Black Tech Street, said in a press release. “Tulsa looks forward to being that example.”

“Greenwood has always been a place of vision and economic opportunity,” Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols said in the release. “Through the leadership of Tyrance Billingsley and Black Tech Street, I’m excited for that legacy to continue in a bold new way.”