TechVibe Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Startup Helping Students Find Their Path Through AI and Storytelling

What if Pittsburgh held the blueprint for helping more young people become innovators in an AI-driven world, and it was built through gaming, storytelling, digital twins, and STEAM? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we talk with Damola and Wole Idowu of TOYZ Electronics about the bold vision behind DAH Varsity AI and TOYZ STEAM. Their platform is designed to help students discover their strengths, connect personal passion to real opportunity, and build the mindset needed to thrive in what Damola calls the "Intelligence Age." From hip hop and culture to robotics, VR, engineering, and AI agents, this conversation explores how innovation can become more accessible, more personal, and far more inclusive. You'll hear how TOYZ Electronics is already gaining traction with thousands of downloads, thousands of student profiles, and hundreds of students directly impacted in Pittsburgh. You'll also get a powerful look at why Damola and Wole believe the future belongs to people who can innovate, not just compute, and why Pittsburgh has the ingredients to lead if it invests in overlooked talent. This is a high-energy conversation about AI, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and building systems that help more people see themselves in the future. Listen in to hear how a Pittsburgh-built platform is aiming to unlock the next generation of creators, engineers, and entrepreneurs before the future races ahead without them. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

Pittsburgh Tech Entrepreneur Sells IQ Inc.—What's Next After 30 Years of Building?

What does it take to build a company that lasts more than three decades… and then have the courage to hand it off so it can grow even bigger? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Barbara VanKirk, founder of IQ Inc, to unpack a story that's been 30+ years in the making. From her early days at Westinghouse Electric Corporation to building a people-first engineering company in Pittsburgh, Barb shares how curiosity, culture, and a commitment to growth shaped IQ Inc.'s journey. Then, the story takes a global turn. Enter Critical Software—a Portugal-based, mission-critical engineering firm with big ambitions in the U.S. market. Joined by COO João Brito and Chief People Officer Filipa Carmo, the conversation explores why Pittsburgh, why now, and why IQ Inc. was the perfect fit. Spoiler: it wasn't just about engineering expertise. It was about culture. From shared values around people-first leadership to global strategy and expansion, this episode captures a rare moment when legacy meets lift-off. With ties to Carnegie Mellon University and a deep respect for Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, Critical Software is planting a flag—and planning to grow. This isn't just an acquisition story. It's a blueprint for building something meaningful… and knowing when it's time to take it further.

Cyburgh Preview: AI Security in Production with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell

What happens when AI is already in production, but security teams are still racing to catch up? In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting talks with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell, Senior Security and AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, about her upcoming AI Security in Production panel at Cyburgh. Brenasia works with organizations across the country, helping them think through modern security strategy, and she brings that frontline perspective to one of the most urgent conversations in tech right now: how to secure AI tools that are being adopted faster than many organizations can inventory, govern, or measure. The conversation moves beyond the basic question of whether companies need an AI policy. At this point, Brenasia notes, most boards have already made that call. The real challenge is the growing gap between what organizations have written down and what is actually happening inside fast-moving production environments. From shadow AI to shifting ownership of AI risk to the need for non-negotiable security controls, this episode previews the kind of practical, high-stakes discussion Cyburgh attendees can expect to hear on stage. Jonathan and Brenasia also touch on the magic of Cyburgh itself, especially the off-stage conversations where ideas, concerns, and candid opinions bubble up between sessions. Add in Brenasia's perspective from a recent industry roundtable at NAB in Las Vegas, where content security and remediation patterns were hot topics, and this episode becomes a sharp snapshot of where AI security stands right now. You'll get a fast, practical preview of the AI governance and security issues every enterprise is now facing. Hit PLAY now to get ready for Cyburgh and hear why securing AI in production may be one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges of the year. Learn more about Cyburgh here. [https://www.pghtech.org/events/2026Cyburgh] The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

How Pittsburgh-Based Outcome Logix Is Reinventing Talent in the AI Era

What if hiring the right tech talent wasn't a gamble… but a precision-engineered system? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Sandesh Sukumaran, founder of Outcome Logix, to unpack how he's rewriting the rules of hiring in a world where speed, accuracy, and AI-driven insights matter more than ever. Sandesh takes us inside his "tech-enabled staffing" model, where proprietary platforms, video-based screening, and expert-led interviews converge to eliminate guesswork and dramatically improve hiring outcomes. Instead of resumes getting lost in translation, candidates are evaluated based on real competencies, real conversations, and real-world fit. But that's just the opening act. We also explore a powerful twist on corporate social responsibility: Outcome Logix's Democratic CSR initiative, where employees, partners, and communities nominate and vote on causes that matter most to them. It's a shift from top-down giving to something far more human and participatory—turning impact into a shared decision. Hit play to discover: * How AI and tools like Copilot are reshaping hiring expectations (and lowering experience barriers) * Why "screened talent" beats traditional resumes every time * The surprising trend toward hiring earlier-career talent in an AI-powered world * How Democratic CSR is redefining what it means to give back as a company The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe Radio to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

Woolpert's Aaron Morris on Real-World AI and Pittsburgh Tech

What happens when AI stops being a buzzword and starts helping the physical world work better? In this episode of TechVibe Fireside Chat, Jonathan Kersting sits down with Aaron Morris, Head of AI at Woolpert, to explore how one of the world's most fascinating architecture, engineering, and geospatial firms is using artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems at serious scale. You'll hear how Woolpert is turning massive streams of raw geospatial data into actionable insights that can improve infrastructure, monitor terrain, support utilities, and help clients make smarter decisions about the built environment. Aaron also shares why the future of AI is not about removing people from the process, but about building better systems with humans still firmly in the loop. For tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovation fans, this conversation offers a powerful look at what AI looks like when it moves beyond gimmicks and starts delivering value where it really counts: in the field, in operations, and in the infrastructure that keeps society moving. And then the episode takes a fantastic turn. Aaron closes with the story of building his own version of KITT from Knight Rider during his startup days, a tale involving a black Pontiac Firebird, a fundraising promise, a Butler County connection, a History Channel appearance, and one hilarious surprise when the car's voice box arrived from Italy. Hit play for a conversation about AI, geospatial innovation, Pittsburgh's role in the future of technology, and a little retro-tech magic to bring it all home.