#United States #Tulsa #Microsoft #Black Tech Street #Greenwood Cyber Lab

Microsoft and Black Tech Street Collaborate for AI Innovation

On May 21, 2026, Microsoft and Black Tech Street celebrated the inauguration of the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This collaborative technology hub is dedicated to advancing innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. Situated within the historic Greenwood district, the lab serves as a creative environment where startups, enterprises, researchers, and public-sector organizations converge to design and test future-forward AI technologies.

The establishment of the lab aligns with the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, a project championed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Tech Hubs program. This initiative followed Tulsa's recognition as a Federal Tech Hub in 2024 for its leadership role in autonomous systems. The associated Tech Hubs coalition, guided by Tulsa Innovation Labs, has secured $51 million in federal funding to transform the region into a national epicenter for advanced autonomy technologies, including applications in drones, robotics, and intelligent transportation systems.

Out of this significant investment, a notable $10.6 million has been earmarked for the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, emphasizing the critical focus on artificial intelligence within Tulsa's broader Tech Hub strategy. The center, designed and operated by Black Tech Street in collaboration with Microsoft and SeedAI, aims to merge workforce development, education, and applied technology innovation. This initiative allows organizations and communities to better grasp, adopt, and leverage artificial intelligence technologies.

Two main components form the foundation of the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence:

1. ASPIRE (AI Societal Program for Innovation, Research, and Education): This program aims to enhance AI fluency, workforce development, and technology education across various demographics.
2. Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab: This collaborative workspace will allow organizations to partner directly with Microsoft engineers and tech innovators to cultivate AI-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges.

Upon opening, the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab will host Microsoft engineers and researchers, providing vital access to advanced Microsoft AI and cybersecurity technologies. The lab's initial endeavors will concentrate on four strategic areas:

• - Startups and enterprise innovation
• - Critical infrastructure security
• - Autonomous systems
• - Responsible AI development

Tyrance Billingsley II, the Founder and CEO of Black Tech Street, expressed immense pride at the lab's launch, stating, "This grand opening represents a culmination of years of hard work and cooperation among various partners. For Black Tech Street HQ and this Microsoft Lab to be located in the GEM building—a site rich in meaning for the Greenwood community—highlights our commitment to steering this area towards a leadership role in AI, one of the most impactful technologies of our time."

Michael Salazar, General Manager of the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab at Microsoft, added, "This opening encapsulates a unique opportunity to bring together founders, researchers, technologists, and community allies to responsibly cultivate technology that yields tangible benefits. Our joint goal is to ensure innovation is not just swift, but also secure, trustworthy, and inclusive."

To cement this vision, preliminary collaboration agreements have been initiated with Lumen Technologies, focusing on practical applications of AI, cybersecurity, infrastructure readiness, and community involvement through the lab. Lumen, a long-standing partner of Microsoft and a key player in the Tulsa tech landscape, exemplifies the type of collaborative ecosystem the lab aims to foster.

Looking ahead, Microsoft is also partnering with Tulsa Public Schools through the Elevate program. The focus here involves rolling out AI readiness initiatives across the school district, with an emphasis on educator training, AI-driven career pathways, and improved operational efficiency. The collaboration will weave in continuous AI skilling opportunities for educators, industry-oriented student certification programs, and evaluations of Microsoft Copilot to streamline administrative tasks.

The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab's inauguration marks not merely a local achievement but a significant point for the entire Tulsa region. Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director at Tulsa Innovation Labs, views this as a transformative step in the area’s pursuit of becoming a national hub for innovation in AI and autonomous systems.

Mayor Monroe Nichols of Tulsa also underscored the importance of this initiative, stating, "The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab is a testament to our commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. It roots itself in one of the most historically significant communities in America, paving the way for future opportunities in technology and economic growth."

In summary, the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab stands as a groundbreaking venture poised to leverage AI and cybersecurity advancements, aiming to uplift the local economy and instigate a wider replication of its successful model across the nation. The endeavor echoes a commitment not just to technological excellence, but also to community engagement and social equity, encouraging a richer narrative of innovation in Tulsa and beyond.