Senator Dave McCormick Meets with Tech and Defense Leaders on Pittsburgh’s “AI Avenue”

Pennsylvania robotics and technology companies help our state lead the nation in AI development and defense reindustrialization.

September 19, 2025, Pittsburgh, PA - Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) recently joined Pittsburgh Technology Council innovators and leaders for a roundtable discussion on the rapid growth of the defense robotics and artificial intelligence industries in southwestern Pennsylvania. McCormick met with the CEOs of Lovelace AI and Strategy Robot, both headquartered in Pittsburgh's Bakery Square or "AI Avenue," before touring Gecko Robotics' manufacturing facility and research and development lab in Pittsburgh's North Shore.

The visits highlight the greater Pittsburgh region as a growing location for companies at the intersection of AI development and defense reindustrialization. Many of these companies strategically chose Pittsburgh for their headquarters due to the region's proximity to over half the country's population, plentiful natural resources, vast skilled labor force, world-class higher education institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, and an affordable cost of living.

"Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in AI innovation, energy dominance, and defense reindustrialization. The state's ecosystem combines world-class academic research institutions with entrepreneurial excellence, creating an ideal environment for developing breakthrough AI technologies with multiple applications across national security and critical infrastructure sectors," said Senator McCormick. "I am proud to engage with each of these incredible entrepreneurs who are developing innovative, cutting-edge solutions that will help America win the AI race and secure our national interests."

"The rise of AI, autonomous systems, and robotics has eroded the technological advantages the United States has historically used to deter aggression from near-peer competitors like China and Russia," said Brian Kennedy, who leads the Defense Robotics and AI Coalition at the Pittsburgh Technology Council. "As that advantage diminishes, the world becomes increasingly dangerous. The innovations being developed in Western Pennsylvania are now essential to the Department of Defense's core mission: To provide the military forces needed to deter war."

Senator Dave McCormick joins members of the Pittsburgh Technology Council for a discussion on the region's defense robotics and AI industries.

"After decades in uniform, I saw how each military branch often worked in its own silo. To defend our nation faster, we have to break those walls and connect," said COL (Ret) Faith Mellott Chamberlain, EVP of Pittsburgh Operations and Advanced R&D Transitions for Parallax Advanced Research. "The modern tools that make that possible-AI, robotics, and autonomy-are what SW Pennsylvania is known for globally. That's why Parallax is helping PA's technologists securely link with Warfighters and other defense hubs like Huntsville and Dayton. Without Pennsylvania, the dome of our national defense is missing its keystone."

"There was once a Golden Era for Pittsburgh, where Pittsburghers were more well off than the residents of New York City," said Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics. "We led innovation with metal and energy. But 100 years ago, that began to change. The time has come for a new Golden Era for Pittsburgh, one forged by AI and Robotics which re-ignites the same industries that made Pittsburgh a city on a hill. I'm confident with leaders like Senator McCormick in our corner, we have our shot to manifest that opportunity."

Senator Dave McCormick tours Gecko Robotics' manufacturing facility and research and development lab in Pittsburgh's North Shore.

"Innovation occurring in the Pittsburgh region has broad implications for national defense, including the development of innovative robotic systems that will enable soldiers and workers to perform critical tasks safely, without entering dangerous workspaces," said Bob Raida
CEO, HEBI Robotics. "These tools not only improve safety of the worker and soldier, but ensure that critical assets function properly, safely and efficiently."

"Southwestern Pennsylvania builds serious, field-ready AI that protects lives," said Andrew Moore, CEO of Lovelace AI. "We appreciate Senator McCormick's partnership in championing defense innovation across Pennsylvania."

Senator Dave McCormick joins CEO of Lovelace AI and his team for a demo of their cutting-edge AI technology.

"Carnegie Foundry's venture studio model transforms the world-class AI and autonomous robotics breakthroughs of Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center, Pittsburgh's hub of AI and robotics innovation for over 30 years, into scalable companies that strengthen America's deep-tech industrial base and meet today's urgent national security needs," said Dr. Rob Szczerba, CEO of Carnegie Foundry LLC.

"The defense AI software products that we at Strategy Robot have built are based on computational game theory. That is important because it is the only sound approach for assisting our nation's military in planning against intelligent adversaries to protect American lives and assets," said Dr. Tuomas Sandholm, Founder, President & CEO, Strategy Robot, Inc. "Our products range from the nation's best fighter pilot AIs to wargaming to Command and Control to portfolio planning to multi-base defense to missile defense and offense, and all of it was researched and developed right here in Pittsburgh. Strategy Robot is proud to be part of southwest PA's vibrant AI and defense ecosystem."

Senator Dave McCormick joins Dr. Tuomas Sandholm, Founder, President & CEO, Strategy Robot, Inc., for a tour of their facility and demonstration of their leading defense software.

"It was clear from our meeting that the Senator understands the unparalleled innovation base already in place in Pittsburgh. At a time when defense re-industrialization is paramount, when the U.S. needs non-incremental strategies for countering China, his leadership on these issues is most welcomed and we look forward to continuing to work with him", said Eric Gillespie, the founder and chairman of Govini.

"Near Earth Autonomy is delivering high-reliability autonomy that enables aircraft to operate safely and effectively in the most demanding defense environments," said Sanjiv Singh CEO, Near Earth Autonomy. "Southwestern Pennsylvania's world-class robotics and defense ecosystem helps us to develop and deploy these advanced capabilities that are critical for US national security."

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