Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon on the AI Talent Boom in North Carolina
 
  North Carolina's Rise as an AI Hotspot North Carolina is no longer flying under the radar in the tech world. With rapid developments in artificial intelligence and a surge in local talent, the state is emerging as a serious contender in the national AI landscape. According to Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon , a strategist with a close eye on tech ecosystems, this isn’t just a phase—it’s a structural shift. “We’re witnessing a coordinated momentum,” Calderon says. “Universities, startups, and enterprise players are moving in sync, creating a feedback loop of growth and innovation.” The Academic Engine Behind the Boom One of the most important drivers of this momentum is North Carolina’s academic infrastructure. Institutions like Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State are producing highly skilled graduates with strong foundations in AI, machine learning, and data science. Calderon highlights this as a key differentiator. “These universities aren’t just producing talent—they...
 
 
 
 
