AGP Executive Report

Prison Drone Crackdown (Georgia): Federal prosecutors say 12 people used heavy-payload drones to drop drugs, phones, weapons, tobacco, and escape tools into 10 federal prisons, including Atlanta’s penitentiary—allegedly 38 drops from 2023 to 2026. Surveillance Tech Debate (Local governance): Tompkins County lawmakers in New York are drafting a policy to review surveillance tech after community pushback led to removal of Flock AI license-plate readers; the fight echoes broader privacy concerns about automated policing. AI + Rail Legal Fight (Georgia tech): A Florida software firm, Duos Technologies, is suing Norfolk Southern in Atlanta, alleging the railroad used its AI program without licensing for post–East Palestine inspection portals, including work tied to Georgia Tech. Family Tech Push (Atlanta): Greenlight launched Greenlight Family Hub, a shared smart-home command center for calendars, photos, chores, an AI family assistant, grocery lists, and safety features. STEM for Kids (Georgia): Camp Invention is coming to East Georgia State College in early July, pairing hands-on invention challenges with National Inventors Hall of Fame and USPTO support. Coastal Learning (Tybee): Tybee Island Marine Science Center unveiled new interactive exhibits for summer, mixing touchable learning with marine ecology and local history.

Public Health Leadership: Marshall County’s Dr. Billy Pitts was elected to the NACCHO board as Region Four representative, aiming to shape national priorities for local health departments across the Southeast. Healthcare Access: A new CDC-led COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness study (published after being blocked from a federal report) finds the 2025-26 shot cuts hospitalization risk by 55% and ER/urgent care visits by 50%. Medical Genetics: A study projects genetic testing for ALS could sharply increase demand for specialized ALS clinic care over the next decade. AI & Privacy in Georgia: Cherokee County deputies were fired and arrested for alleged misuse of an automated license plate reader database, raising concerns about oversight of powerful surveillance tech. Public Safety Infrastructure: Roswell opened a new public safety headquarters bringing police and fire under one roof to improve coordination, training, and incident response. Tech & Energy: DOE announced $17.5B in nuclear power loans to speed reactor construction for data-center-driven electricity demand. Coastal Education: Georgia DNR’s Coastal Resources Division returns Beach Week (June 29–July 1) with free, hands-on events across Jekyll Island, St. Simons, and Tybee. Sports Tech & Turf: FIFA World Cup field research highlights new turf testing tech and grass blends designed for consistent playing conditions across venues.

Autonomous Aviation in Georgia: Georgia Tech is testing a system that lets autonomous aircraft “read” pilot radio calls at non-towered airports, improving nearby-traffic prediction by cutting trajectory error from nearly a kilometer to about 400 meters. Immersive Entertainment Investment: Sony Pictures is putting $100M into Cosm, the Atlanta-linked “Shared Reality” dome-venue operator, to expand immersive sports and entertainment experiences. Local Health Infrastructure: Atrium Health is pursuing a southwest Atlanta teaching hospital with Morehouse School of Medicine, aiming to restore safety-net services after 2022 hospital closures. Public Safety Tech Debate: Mississippi is rolling out AI traffic enforcement for seat belt and unsafe phone use, raising the question of who issues tickets and how the system is governed. COVID Vaccine Research Fight: JAMA published a COVID vaccine study the CDC had withheld, with critics alleging the decision may have been political rather than scientific. Drones vs. World Cup Rules: TSA and partners seized 300+ drones near World Cup venues, warning operators face federal penalties. Atlanta Governance: Gov. Kemp announced new judicial appointments for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Education & Screens: Los Angeles schools approved strict screen-time limits for younger students, a sign of growing pushback on classroom devices.

AI & Attention Habits: A growing “phone-free” movement is pushing young adults to swap short-video scrolling for real-world activities, with Eventbrite reporting a big jump in phone-free experiences. Public Health & Tech Trust: New research says opposition to AI data centers is increasingly driven by distrust of AI and Big Tech, not just local impacts—energy and water use still fuel the fight. Coastal Science & Community: Georgia’s Coastal Resources Division is hosting Beach Week (June 29–July 1) with hands-on learning and live horseshoe crabs at Jekyll Island and other coastal sites. STEM in Georgia Classrooms: A DeKalb teacher is bringing STEM into summer through a Minecraft-based engineering program tied to real-world design at Fernbank and the Science Center. Forensics in the Lab: Georgia Southern’s new Center for Forensic Sciences expands lab support for law enforcement across the Southeast, including insect-based expertise. Maternal Health Tech: Merck for Mothers and Mae are expanding community doula support in Georgia and other states, aiming to improve Medicaid participation and maternal outcomes. Local Environment Watch: Liberty County is seeking more testing on river discharge options for a new wastewater plant after public pushback.

Civic AI in Sandy Springs: The city added a chatbot to its website to answer common questions about events and services, aiming to cut call-center load while protecting user privacy by not accessing chat logs or identifying info. STEM Pipeline: Hunter Army Airfield’s STARBASE program welcomed its first 2026 cohort, giving local middle-schoolers hands-on STEM learning through a four-day curriculum. Health Research Recognition: Augusta University physiology researcher Daria Ilatovskaya won the 2026 John H. Laragh Research Award for basic science hypertension work, focusing on renal blood pressure regulation and mitochondrial metabolism. Public Safety Tech: CENTEGIX released its 2026 School Safety Trends Report, citing more than 346,000 wearable panic-button alerts and highlighting how tech can improve clarity and coordination during emergencies. Local Manufacturing Upgrade: Specialty Engraving expanded in Atlanta with three new laser systems to boost precision and customization for awards, signage, and industrial marking. Prison Food Conditions: A new report alleges Georgia prisons are plagued by rats, insects, and moldy, inadequate meals—linking chronic hunger to broader violence risks.

Google Street View in Georgia: Google, with the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Innovation and Technology Agency, rolled out Street View using 360-degree imagery—aimed at making the state easier to explore for tourists and investors. Autonomous rides in Atlanta: A South African creator tested Waymo’s driverless service in Atlanta, highlighting how the car navigates with exterior cameras and touchscreen controls—another sign Waymo is pushing deeper into mainstream U.S. transit. Public Wi‑Fi upgrade: Atlanta expanded free downtown Wi‑Fi, powered by streetlight tech, adding more access points tied to visitor hubs like Centennial Olympic Park and MARTA-area connections. Enterprise connectivity boost: AT&T Business extended its 400G wavelength service to Atlanta and 40+ metro areas, positioning it for AI-heavy workloads with faster provisioning. Data center pressure and planning: DataBank filed for a 200MW, 1.1M sq ft campus near Cartersville, while a new poll suggests most opposition to data centers isn’t from nearby residents. Local tech governance: Cherokee County arrested supervisors for alleged misuse of automated license plate reader data, reinforcing scrutiny on how public tech is handled. Health risk at the World Cup: An epidemiologist warns heat plus crowds plus alcohol is a repeat emergency-room trigger, with multiple host cities including Atlanta facing dangerous conditions. STEM pipeline in Georgia: KSU graduates moved into NIH-funded doctoral bridge programs, with trainees heading to UGA and Georgia Tech. Education in corrections: West Georgia Technical College held a graduation for incarcerated students, including GED and entrepreneurship training. Sports + tech-adjacent: Georgia Tech and Emory both placed in U.S. News’ top global universities list, with Tech highlighted for engineering and computing strengths.

University Rankings: Emory University (No. 64) and Georgia Tech (No. 94) both landed in the global top 100 in U.S. News’ Best Global Universities list, ranked on research performance and reputation. AI Governance: Atlanta-based OneTrust was named a Visionary in Gartner’s inaugural Magic Quadrant for AI Governance Platforms, while Airia also earned Visionary status and top placement on an AI security use case. AI for Black Communities: Onyx Impact launched Aisha, an AI chatbot trained on Black sources and history, aiming to reduce bias from generic internet-trained models. Local Tech & Business: Fish & Richardson rolled out FishStream AI to assist patent prosecution workflows, and Fish & Richardson’s move highlights how Georgia firms are pushing AI into legal operations. Outdoor Advertising Tech: Alma expanded its outdoor ad platform with more data-driven measurement and planning tools. Public Safety Tech: Atlanta police seek a suspect accused of tying up a store clerk and stealing about $6,200 in phones and tablets during a knife-point robbery. Health & Community: Ogeechee Health brought VTone pelvic floor therapy to women across Bulloch County and Southeast Georgia. Policy & Voting Tech: Georgia Senate advanced a bill extending QR-code ballot counting deadlines to 2028 and adding audits and hand recount requirements. STEM/Research: A new study on salamanders found hidden diversity across states including Georgia, using long-term fieldwork.

Georgia Tech & Research: NOAA’s research ship Nancy Foster docked in Savannah ahead of a marine-life and ocean-conditions trip tied to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, with plans to study live-bottom habitat and support weather/port operations. Public Health Policy: HHS is seeking updates to testosterone-therapy labels, including removing a claim that safety/effectiveness aren’t established for age-related low testosterone and revising prostate-risk warnings. Local Tech & Industry: Greenberg Traurig advised Samsung on a $175M Series E for Element Biosciences, aimed at scaling genomic and multiomic commercialization (subject to regulatory approvals). Georgia Science & Agriculture: Georgia’s SRCA took part in the Golden Head festival to promote and protect endemic Georgian wheat varieties and agro-biodiversity. Housing & Data-Driven Living: A Zillow analysis highlights paint colors that can sway home offers, while a separate report links private-equity apartment ownership to rent pressure via added fees and reduced services. Wildlife Management: Georgia officials warn an invasive Argentine black-and-white tegu could threaten native wildlife. Crime: A Georgia pair faces murder charges after a bartender’s dismembered remains were found in a lake outside Atlanta. Community & Service: BAPS Charities’ America250 Spirit of Service Walk-Run drew 50,000+ participants across 100+ cities.

Energy Storage & Supply Chains: Korean battery makers are accelerating a push into the U.S. energy storage system market as AI-driven data-center demand rises and EV growth cools, with manufacturers expanding North American production and responding to tighter Chinese-component rules. Georgia Tech & Urban Ecology: Metro Atlanta’s urban beekeeping scene is growing, with hives popping up on rooftops and even Georgia Tech/Georgia campuses, highlighting how city pollinators are adapting. Wildlife Management: Georgia officials are warning residents about invasive Argentine black-and-white tegus, urging action to protect native wildlife. Local Tech & Public Services: DeKalb County opened a new resource center to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing, jobs, behavioral health, and healthcare referrals in one place. Agriculture Research: UGA researchers are studying controlled environment agriculture (greenhouses and hydroponics) to help growers manage climate-change impacts like drought. Elections Tech Policy: The Georgia Senate advanced a bill to preserve QR-code ballot tabulation through 2028 while adding audit and recount requirements. Public Health Research (GSU): New Georgia State University studies link minority stress and higher alcohol use to greater risk of suicidality, and find cyber sexual aggression is more common among heavier-drinking college students. Environment Education: Ogeechee Riverkeeper and UGA Extension are launching a Georgia Master Naturalist program with field trips and hands-on training across local ecosystems. Infrastructure & Safety: Savannah is moving ahead with a MLK Boulevard corridor revitalization plan, including removing the I-16 flyover to reconnect a historic Black business district.

Election Tech in Georgia: The Georgia Senate approved a bill to keep QR code ballot tabulation in place through 2028, while adding new audit and recount steps—aimed at solving a July 1 deadline problem for local election systems that rely on QR-reading ballot-marking devices. Transportation Tech: Georgia DOT plans nightly I-516 eastbound closures near Ogeechee Road starting June 30 through July 2 to install connected-vehicle and intelligent transportation system equipment for its NaviGAtor expansion. Autonomous Vehicles Safety: Waymo issued a recall for 3,871 robotaxis after a software defect let cars enter closed freeway construction zones at highway speeds; the fix is an over-the-air update to improve construction-zone detection. Wildlife & Biosecurity: Georgia DNR says residents may humanely remove an invasive Argentine black-and-white tegu, warning the lizard’s spread could threaten native wildlife. Public Health Policy: HHS is requesting label updates for testosterone replacement therapies, including removing a statement that safety and effectiveness aren’t established for age-related low testosterone. Climate & Research: Scientists report H5N1 bird flu killed most newborn southern elephant seal pups on Australia’s Heard and McDonald Islands, with impacts also hitting penguins and seabirds.

Election Tech in Georgia: A bill extending Georgia’s ballot QR code counting deadline to 2028 cleared the Senate, adding a special committee for the next voting system, more post-election audits, and hand recounts for top-ticket races. Public Health Spending Watch: New local Medicaid billing snapshots show Decatur providers billed $180,544 for procedures/professional services in 2024 (+11%), while Brookhaven anesthesia claims hit $209,065 (+14.7%) and Louisville dental claims rose to $18,651 (+2.1%). Invasive Species Alert: Georgia DNR says residents may humanely remove Argentine black-and-white tegus, a non-native lizard that can spread and survive Georgia winters. Autonomous Vehicle Safety: Waymo issued a recall for 3,871 robotaxis after software let cars enter closed construction zones at freeway speeds; an over-the-air fix is planned. Energy & Homes: Rheem launched Energy Star-certified universal heat pumps using R-454B refrigerant, targeting higher efficiency and easier compatibility. Data Centers Backlash: A new report highlights growing state pushback on data centers amid power and water concerns, while a Georgia rapper renewed criticism of local expansion. Sports Tech Policy: FIFA convened in Atlanta to tackle hate speech in football, focusing on practical steps with partners including TikTok.

World Cup Ticket Tech Troubles: Atlanta fans say resale transfers failed between StubHub and FIFA’s ticket app, leaving buyers stranded outside stadiums and sparking blame-shifting between platforms and FIFA. Public Health & Food Safety: Georgia’s Department of Agriculture issued a voluntary recall of all Nara Organics powdered infant formula lots after infant botulism cases. Healthcare Access Policy: Scholars warn Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements model may reduce coverage and backfire on employment goals, as states face new federal compliance timelines. AI Governance & Compliance: A U.S. AI policy roundup flags rising state AI rules, expanding business compliance duties, and growing litigation risk. Autonomous Vehicle Safety: Waymo recalled nearly all robotaxis after reports of entering freeway construction zones without slowing. Education & Workforce Pathways: Life University and TCSG signed an articulation agreement to streamline credit transfers into bachelor’s degrees. Local Science & Ecology: Georgia Forestry Commission urges reporting spotted lanternfly sightings as the invasive pest spreads around the Atlanta area.

Voting Tech Overhaul: Georgia lawmakers rushed a plan to replace banned QR-code electronic voting machines before a July 1 deadline, with a new committee vetting cybersecurity and pushing a full technology drop to Jan. 1, 2028. Wrongful Conviction Reversal: Fulton County exonerated Marquez Powell after advanced DNA testing undermined the prosecution’s theory in a 2005 murder case. Public Safety & Drones: A twice-deported man was charged for flying a drone in restricted airspace near Atlanta’s FIFA Fan Festival. Education Pathways: Life University and TCSG signed an articulation agreement aligning 13 pathways and 58 course equivalencies to streamline associate-to-bachelor transfers. Health & Research: Georgia Southern researchers reported patterns in suicide risk among K-12 educators, including higher occurrence during school hours. Weather Impact: Tropical Storm Arthur’s remnants are expected to keep driving heavy rain and flash-flood risk into Georgia. Food & Innovation: Manus unveiled a fermentation-made monk fruit sweetener aimed at reducing reliance on China’s supply chain. Privacy-First Data: Digital Envoy launched a LocID Native App in Snowflake to keep identity/location data inside clients’ environments.

Quantum Computing in Georgia: Oak Ridge National Laboratory cut the ribbon on “Pathfinder,” a quantum computer designed to team with its supercomputers for faster problem-solving in areas like medicine and national security. Solar Manufacturing Boom: Qcells has started producing solar cells at its Cartersville, Georgia plant, aiming to scale to the largest solar cell factory in the U.S. by Q3 2026 and creating thousands of jobs. Data Centers & Finance: A Citi analysis says investors are finally pricing data-center risk by the deal structure, not just the tenant name, after a Microsoft-linked QTS bond tied to a Fayetteville, Georgia campus widened in spread. Public Health Input: The Georgia Department of Public Health is taking comments on its Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. Invasive Species Watch: Georgia DNR reports more sightings of invasive Argentine black-and-white tegus, warning they can harm native wildlife and spread parasites. Election Tech Update: Georgia lawmakers are extending the QR code ballot deadline and also weighing a replacement plan for aging Dominion voting machines. Workforce & Industry: Acuity Brands Lighting plans to close a Minnesota facility and shift manufacturing, while Georgia Southern’s teacher-prep program earns top marks for science-of-reading training.

Health Tech in Georgia: Emory researchers report that blood metabolite patterns can distinguish spontaneous early births from medically indicated pre-term and early-term deliveries, with signals detectable as early as the first trimester—work drawn from the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort. Privacy & Surveillance: A compliance audit found San Francisco Police made 299 improper license-plate-reader database searches routed through a regional intelligence center, adding to concerns about out-of-state and federal misuse of LPR data. Public Safety Tech: Georgia lawmakers and medical experts discussed kratom regulation after reports of addiction and fatal overdoses, with current rules limiting sales to adults. Transit Security: MARTA defended its safety record amid a federal review after stabbings, citing falling crime and a Real Time Crime Center monitoring thousands of cameras. AI/Diagnostics: Marquette researchers describe smartphone-based blood testing that uses light and fingertip sensing to estimate white blood cell readings, aiming for noninvasive diagnostics. Energy & Industry: An Imperial College London spinout scaled a heat-free membrane process for separating crude oil fractions, targeting major energy savings for refining.

Autonomous Mobility: Uber says it will launch driverless robotaxi rides in Houston in vehicles from Lucid and Nuro, aiming to challenge Waymo and expanding the “platform” strategy it uses in Atlanta and other cities. Public Transit Safety: MARTA told federal officials that crime is down and staffing plus surveillance and targeted enforcement are driving reductions, responding to a federal audit after assaults on transit workers. Climate & Infrastructure Risk: A new analysis finds nearly 80% of global data center capacity faces heightened climate hazards like flooding, wildfire, and extreme heat—an issue that matters for Georgia’s power, cooling, and reliability planning. Nuclear Oversight: The NRC approved another fast-track subsequent license renewal for Georgia’s Edwin I. Hatch, extending both units into the 2050s. Severe Weather: Tropical Storm Arthur weakened but still threatens life-threatening flash flooding across parts of the Southeast. STEM & Research: Prairie View A&M student Mustafa Ali earned recognition for microelectronics work on MoS₂/graphene heterostructures, highlighting Georgia’s HBCU CHIPS momentum. Skills Pipeline: Three Aims Community College students medaled at SkillsUSA in Atlanta, underscoring hands-on technical training. Local Tech/Business: moopFi launched a healthcare fintech platform to consolidate medical bills with a 10% principal reduction and one flexible payment plan.