AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new investigation into data centers argues the public debate is muddled because “data center” can mean very different facility types, which makes electricity and water numbers hard to compare. Electricity Pricing: Another report ties big utility price hikes (linked to data center demand) to long-lived transmission and substation costs, showing why regulators’ pricing math is so contentious. Surveillance Tech in Georgia’s Orbit: Multiple stories highlight the growing backlash to AI license-plate camera networks, including concerns about privacy, data ownership, and how far tracking can go. Public Health—Cyclospora: Georgia is seeing rising cyclosporiasis cases as the national outbreak continues, with “explosive” diarrhea and delayed symptom cycles complicating detection. Heat Risk: A week of extreme heat is forecast, with overnight temperatures staying high—raising the danger for heat illness. Georgia Tech & Safety Tech: Georgia Tech’s lightning mapping array is supporting World Cup-related safety planning around Atlanta. Education & Training: Georgia Southern researchers report an evidence-based physical training program reduced injuries for law enforcement cadets. Wildlife Rescue: Volunteers rescued a 250-pound loggerhead sea turtle deep in a Georgia marsh and released it back to the Atlantic.

CAR T-cell Therapy Access: Researchers discuss why fewer patients get CAR T in early relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, pointing to referral loss, fear, and caregiver burdens—not just medical eligibility. Public Health: Cyclosporiasis “explosive” diarrhea cases are rising nationwide; Georgia is seeing 11–30 confirmed cases, with CDC still tracing the source. AI for Tobacco Control: Georgia Tech Research Institute and CDC Foundation use AI to automatically detect “smart vapes” with screens from online product images, aiming to keep up with fast-changing devices. Privacy vs Surveillance: Multiple reports highlight concerns about Flock Safety’s street-corner cameras and what they can capture, while LAPD is letting its Flock contract expire over civil liberties and privacy worries. Aviation Staffing Strain: TSA checkpoint staffing problems tied to a 2026 funding lapse are reshaping routes and causing uneven travel disruptions, with Georgia among the hardest hit. Data Centers, Power, and Politics: Georgia Tech research and broader reporting question whether data-center tax breaks and promised jobs actually deliver, as communities push back over water, grid capacity, and transparency. Georgia Tech & Industry: Asylon Robotics won an Air Force test contract at Warner Robins to network doglike robots and drones for aircraft inspection. Health & Climate: West Nile virus is starting earlier than usual, including detections in Georgia, and experts urge mosquito bite prevention.

Georgia Heat & Early Warning Tech: Georgia is baking under a heat dome, with heat index readings around 95–105°F and officials pushing multi-hazard early warning upgrades, including a new ICT system to improve how agencies collect, process, and broadcast threat alerts. Water Safety in East Point: East Point finished repairing a Headland Drive water main break, but a boil water advisory stays until state-required lab tests confirm no total coliform and proper chlorine residual. Data Centers vs. Local Control: Walker County approved a 30-day data center moratorium while it drafts ordinances; the debate echoes broader concerns about power and water demands. Privacy Fight in the Streets: A growing backlash targets Flock AI-style surveillance cameras, with critics arguing the systems enable mass tracking beyond license plates. Food Science from UGA: UGA researchers report marigold proteins could be a stable, fiber-rich, plant-based ingredient—turning discarded blooms into a potential “superfood” supply. Poultry Health Research: UGA work suggests Mycoplasma synoviae can colonize rooster testes, pointing to new angles for managing avian disease. Robotaxi Policy Pressure: Federal regulators are pushing AV makers to ensure vehicles don’t interfere with first responders, while Uber–Waymo tensions keep rising in markets including Atlanta. STEM for Families in Statesboro: Georgia Southern’s Virtual Collaboration Center expands camps like Minecraft, STEM, esports, and comic-creation workshops.

Robotaxi Rules Clash: Uber and Waymo are escalating in robotaxi markets as regulators move to tighten safety rules and scrutinize expiring deal terms, with Atlanta among the cities where contracts still matter. Privacy vs. Surveillance: A new wave of online backlash targets Flock AI license-plate cameras, with critics alleging broader tracking capabilities and lawmakers facing pressure as public destruction videos spread. Georgia Tech in the Spotlight: Brice Bowden made Georgia Tech’s Spring 2026 Dean’s List, while Czech swimmer Daniel Mitka sent a verbal commitment to swim and study at Georgia Tech starting fall 2027. AI and Learning Integrity: A fresh take argues AI isn’t “killing” education—it’s exposing how schooling has long rewarded regurgitating what students can already look up instantly. Local Tech & Safety: Atlanta-based AssuranceAmerica disclosed a major breach affecting nearly 7 million people, highlighting why credit freezes aren’t enough when driver’s license data is exposed. Health & Food Science: UGA researchers report proteins extracted from discarded marigolds could become a heat-stable, sustainable food ingredient. Sports Tech Moment: FIFA says Connected Ball sensor data found no proof England’s ball touched overhead wire in the Norway quarterfinal, ending a major tech controversy. Georgia Economy Watch: Georgia Southern’s Q1 2026 monitor says Savannah metro growth slowed sharply, with mixed retail and airport indicators and weak employment gains.

Georgia Tech & food science: UGA researchers report proteins extracted from pre-dried marigold flowers can stay functional under heat, pointing to a potential use for discarded blooms as a more sustainable food ingredient. Privacy & surveillance: A new report raises alarms about Flock Safety’s large network of AI cameras, arguing the system can go beyond license plates by pairing with phone Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi scanning to build tracking-style profiles. Cybersecurity & identity theft: AssuranceAmerica says it’s notifying nearly 7 million people after a March breach exposed driver’s license and insurance data, with warnings that a credit freeze alone won’t stop all fraud paths. Public safety tech debate: Georgia’s election board approved new rules aimed at boosting trust, but legal experts warn at least one change could face constitutional challenges. Health & climate risk: A study links frequent breaks from sitting with lower cancer-death risk, while forecasters warn a persistent U.S. heat dome could strain health systems and grids for days. Local science/education funding: ArtsBridge Foundation received a Georgia Council for the Arts operating grant to support arts education programs for students. Georgia crime (tech-adjacent): Police say an Indian-origin Google engineer was shot dead in Cobb County in a domestic dispute; her husband was arrested.

Georgia Election Rules: The Georgia State Election Board approved two new rules aimed at boosting voting transparency, including a change that could trigger court fights after AG Chris Carr warned it may be unconstitutional. Heat & Health: A persistent U.S. heat dome is expected to push temperatures 15–25°F above normal for days, raising risks for heat illness, grids, and agriculture. Privacy & Policing Tech: Reports renew scrutiny of Flock Safety’s AI camera network, with concerns it goes beyond license plates and may enable broader tracking. Autonomous Vehicles: Waymo expands driverless service to four more cities, while local residents and experts debate safety and accountability as robotaxis multiply. Public Safety Sensors: A nationwide controversy grows around audio gunshot-detection systems, with cities citing accuracy and privacy problems. Georgia Parasite Update: Cyclosporiasis cases are rising in Georgia and across the U.S., and officials say they still can’t tie infections to a specific local source. Local Science & Food: UGA researchers report marigold proteins could become a heat-stable, sustainable plant ingredient—turning garden waste into potential food supply. STEM Leadership: Ohio State’s new engineering dean, Ayanna Howard (formerly a robotics leader at Georgia Tech), is pushing to increase diversity in engineering. Metro Atlanta Tech Growth: Mercedes-Benz is investing $34M in a new Atlanta technology center, signaling continued expansion of the region’s auto-tech ecosystem.

Local Tech & Jobs: Mercedes-Benz opened a new $34M Atlanta technology center, consolidating engineering and R&D and aiming to add hundreds of jobs through onsite collaboration and school/college partnerships. Privacy & Policing: The LAPD is pausing its deal with Atlanta-based Flock Safety over control of footage, as cities in multiple states have already cut ties amid privacy and surveillance concerns. Cybersecurity: Ethereum’s Protocol Security team flagged CVE-2026-34219, a libp2p gossipsub flaw that can remotely crash vulnerable nodes; the fix is in libp2p-gossipsub v0.49.4 and upgrades are urged. Sustainable Food Research: UGA researchers found proteins from discarded marigold flowers can be extracted efficiently and remain heat-stable, pointing to a potential sustainable ingredient stream. Health & Community: A Georgia-linked report highlights farmworker health screening for Chagas in South Carolina, showing how targeted medical research can catch treatable infections early. STEM/Space Research: Georgia Tech faculty presented work spanning ultrafast laser diagnostics and autonomous spacecraft planning for high-enthalpy and atmospheric-entry testing.

Surveillance & Privacy: A new report highlights how Flock Safety’s AI camera network goes beyond license plates, raising concerns about broader tracking through phone signal scanning. Public Health: A fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak is surging across multiple states, with Georgia among those reporting cases as investigators search for the source. AI & Finance: A University of Georgia study warns that AI tools used for financial planning can produce advice that varies by race or gender, urging people to consult experts. Climate & Heat Policy: A new guide lays out how states and cities can build resilience to extreme heat, reflecting how heat domes are becoming more common. Entomology & Agriculture: Georgia Tech research finds the pesticide sulfoxaflor can alter gene activity and reproduction in bumblebees, adding to worries about pollinator decline. Tech & Workforce: Georgia Tech students earned spring 2026 Faculty Honors and Dean’s List recognition, underscoring continued momentum in STEM education. Cyber & Law Enforcement: Georgia’s GBI says officers were arrested for misusing Flock cameras for non-law-enforcement purposes, fueling renewed scrutiny of camera governance.

Public Health Alert: West Nile virus is showing an unusually early, aggressive start, with Georgia officials reporting infected mosquitoes in Atlanta’s Grant Park and the CDC warning of the worst early-season pace in decades. Cancer Research: A new preclinical study reports silica nanoparticles can wipe out aggressive prostate tumors in mice while boosting immune response when paired with immunotherapy—promising, but still early-stage. Cyber/Privacy & Surveillance: Local concerns over Flock AI cameras are resurfacing, with claims that the systems can go beyond license plates and contribute to broad, warrantless-style tracking. AI + Work Impacts in Atlanta: Atlanta rideshare drivers rallied against Waymo expansion, saying autonomous services are cutting earnings and replacing short in-city trips. Food Safety: Publix is recalling frozen GreenWise Organic blueberries after an E. coli outbreak linked to the product sickened people in multiple states, including Georgia. STEM in Georgia Schools: Gwinnett County is pushing major middle-school upgrades, including expanded science lab space, as a new superintendent tours renovation work. Georgia Tech/AI Startup Spotlight: Odyssey co-founder Jeff Hawke’s path—from Georgia Tech-adjacent robotics training to an AI startup raising $529m—highlights how Georgia’s talent pipeline is feeding national AI growth. Agriculture Scam Warning: The Georgia Department of Agriculture warns farmers about AI-assisted fake dealership websites and scam calls pushing buyers to wire money for equipment that never arrives.

Surveillance & Accountability: Georgia’s Flock license-plate camera system is under scrutiny after a new audit feature helped uncover misuse by Albany officers, with multiple arrests and charges for using retained data for non-law-enforcement purposes. Public Safety Tech: A separate report highlights how AI-assisted 911 and school incident-response tools are being marketed to cut response times, as Georgia expands value-based and tech-enabled approaches to emergency readiness. Health & Research: UGA-led work shows proteins extracted from discarded marigold flowers could become a heat-stable, sustainable food ingredient, while Georgia health officials warn of rising cyclospora risk as cases climb across multiple states including Georgia. Industry & Innovation: Mercedes-Benz opened a $34M Atlanta Technology Center to consolidate testing and back-end operations, and Joi Life Wellness in Georgia is using eClinicalWorks’ AI-assisted PRISMA to speed up access to patient records. Policy & Economy: A new Georgia rural health push aims to move more than 85 hospitals toward a multi-payer value-based model under the GREAT program. Tech & Security: China’s vulnerability database flagged Anthropic’s Claude Code versions for a potential backdoor risk, adding to the region’s scrutiny of AI tooling.

AI Infrastructure & Local Politics: Marietta leaders tabled a proposed data center rezoning on Powers Ferry Place after heavy public protests, while also approving a temporary moratorium on new data center zoning applications through Dec. 31. Metro Tech & Work: Atlanta rideshare drivers plan to rally after reports that AI and autonomous vehicles are cutting earnings in half, with drivers blaming algorithm-driven pay changes and unregulated data center growth. Public Health Tech: RapidSOS, now used by metro Atlanta 911 centers, is helping dispatchers get faster, more precise caller location and even live video to guide care like hands-only CPR. Cybersecurity: Georgia Eye Institute says it’s investigating “unusual activity” on its network after isolating impacted systems; separately, the GBI arrested five former Albany officers for alleged misuse of Flock license plate reader data. Elections & Trust: Georgia’s State Election Board adopted new rules aimed at boosting confidence in the state’s election system, drawing warnings of constitutional overreach. Healthcare Marketing Data: HealthLink Dimensions added Diaceutics lab data to help pharma teams build more clinically relevant HCP audiences. STEM & Workforce: Solon High School’s Excel TECC students placed top 10 nationally at SkillsUSA in Atlanta. Biotech & Food: UGA researchers report proteins extracted from discarded marigold flowers show strong heat stability, pointing to a potential sustainable food ingredient. Aviation & Drones: Pyrrhus Aeronautics unveiled a rifle-mounted, joystick-free drone control system for soldiers. Health Alerts: A parasite causing explosive diarrhea (cyclosporiasis) is spreading across 18 states, including Georgia.

Georgia Tech & Food Tech: UGA researchers report marigold-flower proteins can be extracted from discarded blooms and stay heat-stable, pointing to a potential sustainable protein ingredient. Public Health: Cyclospora (cyclosporiasis) cases are rising across at least 17 states, with Georgia among the affected states, as officials investigate sources of the “explosive” diarrhea outbreak. Privacy & Policing: The GBI says five former Albany officers misused Flock license plate reader data for non-law-enforcement searches, leading to charges and dismissals. Autonomous Vehicles: Waymo begins fully driverless rides for its own employees in Denver (with public service expected soon) and expands driverless operations in San Diego, Las Vegas, and Tampa. Clinical Research Ops: TeleSpecialists will host a July 15 webinar on operational readiness for the updated 2026 AHA/ASA stroke guidelines, including extended-window workflow changes. Local Environment: Liberty County and Ogeechee Riverkeeper agree on baseline water-quality monitoring for local rivers tied to a proposed advanced wastewater plant. STEM & Training: SkillsUSA recognized Georgia CTE students in Atlanta, including a video production Skill Point Certificate winner.

Industrial Tech & Energy Demand: A new engineering roundtable looks at how electrification, automation, and AI are reshaping industrial facility design—pushing modular, scalable builds and tighter coordination between engineering, IT, and operations as power needs rise. Georgia Public Health & Insects: UGA researchers warn spotted lanternflies are spreading in Georgia and ask residents to photo and report sightings so experts can map the pest’s movement and slow crop damage. Local Schools Funding: DeKalb County will review millions in ESPLOST VI overpayments tied to incorrect funding percentages, with possible project impacts and repayment discussions on the agenda. Food Waste AI (Georgia-linked): Topanga.io acquired Raccoon Eyes, adding camera-based AI that tracks post-consumer plate waste to help dining operators cut waste with a closed-loop view. Child Safety Research: New reporting highlights drowning risks for kids and urges faster rescue and resuscitation readiness. Workforce & Training: SkillsUSA’s national conference in Atlanta showcased hands-on career skills, with students earning recognition tied to real job readiness.

Public Safety Tech Misuse: Albany police officers were fired and charged after a GBI investigation found misuse of Flock Safety license plate reader data for non-law-enforcement purposes, raising fresh concerns about surveillance tech controls. AI in Research & Trust: An Athens, GA case study ties together Zenodo DOI archiving, Academia posting, and a Gradio app to argue for “trust-proof” AI retrieval in high-stakes YMYL search contexts. Healthcare Device Milestone (Georgia): Atlanta-based Nyra Medical enrolled its first patient in an early feasibility study of CARLEN, a transcatheter mitral valve leaflet enhancer aimed at improving repair outcomes. Cybersecurity Compliance (Defense Supply Chain): Eclipse Networks in Atlanta is helping defense subcontractors prepare for upcoming CMMC enforcement deadlines, with Level 2 third-party certification looming. Workforce & STEM via Motorsports: The Twenty Four Foundation launched “Built Different: The STEM Accelerator” in Atlanta and Richmond, using NASCAR-linked curriculum to connect underserved youth to engineering, AI, and data science. Local IT Upgrade: Jackson County approved a lease to replace aging server infrastructure, targeting reliability and continued support for critical systems. SkillsUSA Wins (Atlanta): Georgia students earned silver medals at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta, including collision repair tech and prepared speech. Wildlife Participation: Georgia’s turkey survey is open through August, asking the public to report sightings to track population trends.

Counter-Drone Defense in Georgia: Georgia Tech startup Askari is turning classroom drone know-how into real-world counter-drone systems, aiming to detect, track, and stop hostile unmanned aircraft. Public Health Watch: The CDC is monitoring an expanding cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 17 states, including Georgia, with 145 confirmed cases reported so far—health care workers are urged to watch for acute watery diarrhea and report cases for outbreak tracking. Local Research Integrity: Clark Atlanta University says it revised how it publishes research summaries after walking back a study summary about Waffle House workers; the university removed the summary and clarified it wasn’t meant as a direct assessment of the chain’s policies. AI + Mental Health: A Georgia Tech–linked study finds daily mindfulness states can translate into better psychological well-being, mapping how moment-to-moment awareness links to later emotional improvements. Tech & Business: Rivian plans a $1.5B share offering while expanding manufacturing capacity in Georgia, and Uber’s Waymo partnership has ended in Phoenix but continues in Atlanta and Austin.

School Leadership Moves: Colquitt County School District named new administrators for 2026–2027, including Regina Bannister (Vereen), Carlos Bautista (Achievement Center), Casey Cope (school safety), and Tiffany Richey (Funston Elementary). Public Safety Tech Scrutiny: Albany police said five officers were ousted after an internal review found serious misuse of license plate reader technology; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will assess whether laws were broken. Food & Farm Science: UGA researchers report marigold proteins could become a plant-based protein source, with functional traits like water/oil holding and emulsifying. Local AI/Surveillance Backlash: A Valdosta State study is tracking whether invasive Joro spiders compete with native Georgia spiders for prey, using DNA from digestive tracts. Metro Mobility Upgrade: MARTA launched the MARTA Mobility app and web platform for booking, tracking, and managing paratransit trips. Internet Expansion: Wire 3 plans a $38M fiber build to reach nearly 38,000 homes and businesses in Warner Robins and Centerville. Heat & Grid Risk: A major July 4 heat wave knocked out power for 1.3M+ Americans, raising concerns for people relying on medical equipment. AI in Elections: Reporting says voters are increasingly using AI chatbots for election guidance, including in Georgia.