Brad Smith

When Microsoft kicked off our TechSpark program in the United States back in 2017, our intent was to bring digital technology investments to six communities across the United States. We’ve spent the last six years experimenting, learning, and sharing what we’ve learned about how technology can help propel a community on the path to broader opportunity and prosperity.

One of those communities is the Borderplex, home to the sister cities of El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, where I spent some time earlier this month. It was my fourth visit to El Paso, which just so happens to be the hometown of my Chief of Staff, Carol Ann Browne. She was who acquainted the Microsoft team with the rare mix of attributes that make this such a vibrant community.

Through our work in the region, I’ve quickly discovered what makes the Borderplex, and every place I visit, so unique – it’s the people who, in this special community, are as bright and welcoming as the Southwestern sunshine. The significance and possibilities that come with a community that bridges two nations, two cultures, and two unique economies are boundless. Although the region makes headlines for the migrant crisis that has descended upon its border, it has quietly made huge strides on several fronts that haven’t garnered the attention they deserve.

As I prepared for my visit organized by Microsoft’s Mike Egan , Jonathan Childress , and Omar Saucedo , I was astounded by what this community had achieved in six short years. It’s a testament to what a little investment, a lot of focus, and the unlimited passion of a diverse and driven team can achieve.

Digital transformation starts with the right skills With Microsoft’s support, the Borderplex is equipping up-and-coming generations with the digital skills to thrive. Five years ago, just 23 percent of high schools in West Texas offered computer science courses. Today, through the support of Microsoft, that number has increased to 62 percent, with more than 40 schools offering computer science education. While we’re still working to reach the remaining 38 percent of high schools, we’re seeing the impact of this program in higher education. The program has helped to more than triple the number of computer science students at El Paso Community College , from 400 to over 1,430. These students go on to study computer science at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and work in various tech roles, including at Microsoft .

Bringing the power of AI to local businesses If learning to use new technology is the first step in adopting and building applications that put it to work, then the second step is getting people to play and experiment with it. As history has shown, the economies that profited most from major technological shifts were those that embraced it and used it to its full potential. I saw this firsthand at Gamer Logistics Inc. , a local trucking company founded in 2002 that transports freight around the region and across the border. The founders are not only equipping their 200-plus semitrucks with artificial intelligence (AI) to boost efficiency and safety but use Azure Open AI to solve a real business problem.

The logistics industry faces a significant challenge in matching shippers with carriers in a timely manner. With 70 percent of freight in the country being transported by nearly 2 million trucking companies in the U.S. ecosystem alone, the process of matching cargo with a carrier takes an average of 36 hours. This lag time results in lost productivity, higher costs, and delays that cascade through the entire supply chain. Today, this process is slow. It’s manual. It’s expensive. And it’s prone to errors.

Knowing AI could revolutionize the matchmaking of carriers and shippers, the Gamer Logistics team set off to create a new company. They raised $150,000, joined forces with developers at a local hackathon sponsored by Microsoft, and AizenFlow was born. Using ChatGPT technology and Azure OpenAI Services , AIzenFlow built an AI application that cuts the time it takes to pair shippers with carriers from 36 hours to just 15 minutes. Their hope is to get the entire industry to move freight faster, improve efficiency, and lower costs for consumers.

This innovative solution is a prime example of how AI can be put to work to solve existing problems and drive growth in existing industries. It also demonstrates that as more companies of all sizes put their imaginations and know-how to work, local economies and communities will reap the benefits.

That’s why Microsoft announced during our visit that we will be investing an additional $1 million in technology support directly to local start-ups, businesses, and nonprofits in the region.

And I can’t wait to see what they do next!

Brad Smith

Bellevue, Washington, United States 308K followers 500+ connections

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Columbia Law School

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