Charlotte Tech Digest #3

Welcome to the first edition of the Charlotte Tech Digest in 2025. We are happy to share stories from Charlotte’s tech leaders and startups while highlighting the top three events to go this month for the techie in Charlotte! 😀 

In this month’s rundown:

• 🚨 The person who is helping build a smart, more inclusive Charlotte

• 🤖 CES 2025 Standout… Nvidia is back at it again with BRICKS

• 👩‍🎓 A way to fix the degree planning headache for advisors and students

• 🏙️ Must go to Tech events in Charlotte this month

• 🔎 AI Research Tool for all your needs

Community
💫 Charlotte Tech Spotlight: Charlitta Hatch

Charlitta Hatch is a trailblazer in Charlotte’s tech scene, making an impact both professionally and in the community. As Chief Data and Analytics Officer for the City of Charlotte, Charlitta uses data to drive decisions that support the city’s rapid growth and foster transparency. In addition to her tech role, Charlitta is also the author of three books, inspired by her desire to provide children, especially Black boys, with stories where they can see themselves in everyday roles. Motivated by her own experiences as a mother, she noticed the lack of diverse representation in children's literature and created stories to fill that gap. Her leadership extends beyond her role, as she is actively involved in organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack and Jill of America, Children’s Theater of Charlotte, and the CMS Foundation, all while advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech.

Transforming Charlotte with Data and Technology

Charlitta has witnessed firsthand how technology has evolved in Charlotte, both as a city and as a part of daily life. From the introduction of AOL and home phones to today’s reliance on smartphones, technology has become an indispensable part of the city’s development. Charlotte has grown rapidly, and with it, the demand for tech-driven solutions to manage services like transportation, utilities, and solid waste. Charlitta's role is to ensure that the city is making data-informed decisions to meet the needs of its citizens and continue growing sustainably.

As the first person to hold the Chief Data and Analytics Officer role, Charlitta’s work is all about breaking down barriers and establishing governance around the use of data. By making data more accessible and transparent, she aims to involve the community in shaping the future of Charlotte. Her focus is on making Charlotte a model city that uses data and technology to enhance the lives of its residents and overcome challenges related to rapid growth.

Closing Gaps, Shaping the Future

Charlitta is deeply committed to closing the digital divide in Charlotte, recognizing that internet access is a utility, not a privilege. The pandemic highlighted significant disparities in access, with white households having greater access to the internet compared to Black and Hispanic households. Charlitta is spearheading initiatives that provide not only internet access but also devices and essential digital literacy training. Her focus is on preparing residents for the digital future, including understanding and leveraging emerging technologies like generative AI. Closing the digital divide is key to enabling Charlotteans to participate in the tech-driven economy, improving their economic mobility, education, and job readiness.

Looking toward the future, Charlitta is excited about Charlotte’s transformation into a smart city. The city's growing tech sector, with innovation centers from major companies like Lowe's, Honeywell, and Duke Energy, is positioning Charlotte as a leader in technological advancements. Smart cities use technology to enhance the quality of life for residents, and Charlotte is integrating smart solutions into its transportation systems, utilities, and public services. Charlitta is enthusiastic about Charlotte’s evolving role as a tech hub, where technology will not only improve efficiency and sustainability but also enhance the overall experience for its residents.

Legacy and Impact

Charlitta’s legacy is built on her commitment to continuous growth, inclusivity, and positive impact. She believes in the power of curiosity, advising others to "never feel like you've learned everything" and always ask, "What new thing am I adding to my toolkit?" For her, technology and life are about constant learning and action. She emphasizes that, similar to an hourglass, regardless of whether the glass is half full or half empty, there's always more to do: "Let’s go get it." This mindset drives her work and her dedication to improving the community.

Charlitta aspires to leave a legacy of doing good and making a difference in the lives of those she encounters. Inspired by Beyoncé’s words, "I was here," she wants to be remembered as someone who embraced every opportunity and left the world better than she found it. Through her advocacy, leadership in the City of Charlotte, and commitment to empowering others, Charlitta is shaping a future rooted in progress, accessibility, and inclusivity.

Tech Shockwave
🧠 Introducing Nvidia’s New AI Supercomputer “DIGITS”

The 2025 CES show spotlighted NVIDIA's continued tech dominance. CEO Jensen Huang unveiled Project DIGITS, a personal AI supercomputer powered by the NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, delivering a petaflop of AI computing performance—1000x faster than the average laptop. The supercomputer will be available in May 2025, starting at $3,000, further democratizing high-performance AI technology.

Unmatched AI Performance and Capabilities

DIGITS is designed to empower developers, data scientists, and AI researchers with cutting-edge performance. It can handle up to 200 billion-parameter AI models with 128GB of memory and pre-installed NVIDIA AI software tools, making prototyping and running models faster and more efficient than ever before.

Seamless Integration and Expansion

With a compact, power-efficient design, DIGITS enables users to develop and fine-tune AI models on a desktop system and then scale seamlessly to cloud or data center environments. This flexibility makes it ideal for both local innovation and large-scale AI projects, redefining how developers engage with AI technology.

Who is an Ideal User?

Project DIGITS is designed for a range of users, from students and researchers to AI-driven startups and large enterprises. Its use cases include advanced AI model training, real-time data analysis, autonomous systems development, and educational research. By bringing data center-level computing power to individual workspaces, DIGITS opens the door for groundbreaking innovations in machine learning, robotics, and scientific discovery.

Featured Business
🏢 AutoGrad is Simplifying the Degree Planning Process

Introducing AutoGrad, a SaaS-based platform transforming degree planning for students, parents, and academic advisors. Founded by Nikhil Kettay, who experienced the challenges of figuring out course planning firsthand, AutoGrad simplifies academic planning by providing customizable course schedules tailored to each student's desired major and minor, ensuring financial clarity and a clear path to graduation.

Personalized Degree Planning Made Easy

AutoGrad empowers students with personalized degree visibility tools. By simply selecting their major(s) and minor(s), students receive a customizable course schedule that outlines all degree requirements and conditions, semester by semester. This clarity helps students stay on track and make informed decisions about their academic journey.

Financial Forecasting for Smarter Decisions

Understanding the financial impact of higher education is crucial. AutoGrad's platform helps students and parents project tuition costs based on graduation timelines. This financial transparency allows families to plan effectively, ensuring educational goals can be achieved without unnecessary financial strain.

Supporting Academic Advisors with Streamlined Tools

AutoGrad isn’t just for students—it's designed to support academic advisors as well. The platform addresses common planning challenges by simplifying advisor check-ins and providing tools to manage multiple students effectively. Built with direct input from academic advisors, AutoGrad reduces planning complexities, allowing advisors to focus on guiding students toward success.

Making an Impact in the Carolinas

Two years since its inception, AutoGrad has already gained positive feedback from students at NC State University. This year, AutoGrad plans to expand to more universities in the North Carolina region, continuing its mission to transform the degree planning experience into a seamless and effective process for students, parents, and advisors alike.

🗓️ Upcoming Events Around Charlotte in February

1. Tech After Five (5:30 PM - 7 PM)

Date: February 11th

Join us at Hickory Tavern for Tech After Five, the ultimate in-person networking event for Charlotte’s tech community. Designed to connect IT professionals, startups, entrepreneurs, and their support networks, this event offers a platform to foster meaningful professional relationships. Whether you're searching for job opportunities, talent, customers, partners, or mentors, Tech After Five has you covered. Custom badges and curated attendee lists ensure you're networking with the right people. Don't miss this chance to join a vibrant tech community and make impactful connections! (Attend This Event)

2. NC Tech Outlook for Tech - Charlotte (All Day)

Date: February 13th & 14th

Join NC TECH’s Outlook for Tech 2025 at the Hilton Charlotte University Place for a premier gathering of tech leaders and innovators. Kicking off with a Welcome Reception, the event features expert insights on 2025 tech trends, the State of the Technology Industry report, and discussions on AI’s workforce impact, cybersecurity threats, and emerging business trends. Speakers include leaders from Forrester, Accenture, UNC Charlotte, Duke Energy, AvidXChange, Corning, and more. Attendees can explore the Tech Expo, enjoy networking opportunities, and gain key industry insights. (Attend This Conference)

3. February Lunch and Learn AI Workshop (11:30 AM - 1 PM)

Date: February 20th

The Southwest Charlotte Association presents AI Tools: Unlock Your Business Potential, a hands-on workshop on February 20 at the Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Arrowood. Designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and marketing professionals, this interactive series will explore AI-driven marketing strategies, content generation, and automation techniques to enhance business efficiency. Featuring live demonstrations, practical exercises, and networking opportunities, this workshop offers actionable insights to integrate AI seamlessly into daily operations. (Buy Your Ticket)

Tech Tool
🛠️ AI Research Assistant by NotebookLM

Revolutionize your meetings and workflows with Otter AI, the ultimate transcription tool for capturing conversations and turning them into actionable insights. Whether you're in business, education, or media, Otter AI saves time by providing accurate, real-time transcripts. (Summary of the Tool and what it does)

How it works:

• Record meetings, interviews, or lectures and transcribe in real-time.

• Share live notes and transcripts with collaborators instantly.

• Search through transcriptions easily and highlight key points.
  (Bullet Points on How It Works)

Why you’ll love it:

• Time-saving: Automatically generate meeting summaries and action items.

• Real-time collaboration: Share live notes, allowing everyone to stay on the same page.

• Seamless integration: Sync with Zoom, Google Meet, and other apps for smoother workflows.
  (Bullet Points on Why Someone Would Love It)

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CyberHype Charlotte quick links:

• Job hunting? View open tech jobs

• Hiring? Post a job

• Looking for events? Charlotte Tech Events

• Hosting? Post a event

Charlotte’s tech scene is buzzing with innovation and opportunity. Stay engaged, keep exploring, and join our 9 tech enthusiasts as we continue to push the boundaries of technology in the 704!