📌 As AI accelerates faster than local economies can adapt, Las Vegas became the proving ground for how policy, innovation, and communities meet the moment. ⸻ Over the weekend, Opportunity Hub (OHUB) was invited to help kick off the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Tech Brain Trust in Las Vegas, convened by Congressmembers Steven Horsford and Emanuel Cleaver. Hosted at Nevada Partners, the kickoff convening brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, technologists, and community leaders to examine a central challenge facing service-based economies like Las Vegas: how emerging technologies—particularly AI—are reshaping work, opportunity, and economic mobility, and what it will take to ensure communities are prepared rather than displaced. Kieran Blanks, Chief Product Officer at OHUB, joined the convening to contribute perspective on the importance of practical, place-based approaches to AI readiness—focused on translating innovation into real economic outcomes for cities and the people who power them. As part of the event, Congressman Horsford sat down with News From the Margin for a short interview recorded on Saturday, January 24, reflecting on why this moment matters, the role of technology and innovation in closing the wealth gap, and the importance of grounding these conversations directly in communities. 🎧 Listen to the audiogram from the Tech Brain Trust kickoff. ⸻ We’re grateful to be included in this important dialogue and to contribute to a broader national effort that is moving city to city—aligning policy, innovation, and economic strategy with the realities of place. To learn more about OHUB’s city-based and place-based work, visit www.opportunityhub.co/cities ⸻ If you’re interested in exploring how this work could support your city or region, be sure to reach out. We welcome the conversation.