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OpenAI-backed workshop brings hands-on AI training to Virginia veterans
edtechinnovationhub28d ago

OpenAI-backed workshop brings hands-on AI training to Virginia veterans

Veterans Forge , OpenAI Academy , OpenAI for Government , Carahsoft, and The AI Collective brought nearly 100 veterans and active-duty service members together in Virginia for practical AI training, pointing to growing demand for workforce-focused upskilling outside traditional education routes OpenAI Academy , Veterans Forge , Carahsoft, and The AI Collective have delivered a hands-on AI training event in Virginia for nearly 100 veterans and active-duty service members, as workforce groups and community organizations push to widen access to practical AI skills. The event, held at Carahsoft in Reston, focused on applied generative AI and ChatGPT use, with participants learning directly through workshops rather than passive content. The session highlights a wider shift in AI skilling, where nonprofits, local communities, and industry partners are stepping in to deliver fast, targeted training for groups at risk of being left behind by workplace change. Ted Patterson, Product & GTM Engineer at reelist and Regional Director & Founding Member at The AI Collective, wrote on LinkedIn: “Just wrapped an OpenAI Academy event here in Virginia, and I’m fired up from the energy in the room. 🔥 Nearly 100 veterans and active-duty service members picked up essential AI skills, and took a strong step into the future.” He framed the event as an example of what can happen when local partners align around workforce access, adding: “This is what real collaboration looks like, and this is the kind of work that puts Virginia on the map in the AI era.” Veterans targeted for practical AI upskilling Veterans Forge describes itself as a nonprofit focused on helping veterans build skills in AI and future technologies, with an emphasis on hands-on training, mentorship, and transition into civilian tech careers. In this case, the training was delivered with support from OpenAI Academy, OpenAI for Government, Carahsoft, and The AI Collective. The event appears to have centered on practical AI use rather than high-level discussion. Patterson noted in his LinkedIn post that attendees had gained “essential AI skills,” while follow-up comments invited participants to request material from a lesson on custom GPTs. Other attendees also described the workshop as an entry point into applied AI. Zully G. Goya Paz, An Executive Strategy & Operations Leader and USAF Veteran, wrote on LinkedIn: “Today I learned how to build my own AI agents—and it was only the beginning.” She connected that directly to employability, adding: “Access to free, hands-on AI education helps our community stay competitive, explore new career paths, and continue serving through innovation.” Nick Kesler, who attended the event, placed the training in a workforce context, writing on LinkedIn: “The goal is simple - make sure veterans aren’t left behind as AI reshapes the workforce. Today is a meaningful step in that direction.” Community-led delivery is becoming part of the AI skills picture The event also shows how AI training is increasingly being delivered through regional networks rather than only through colleges, employers, or national programs. The AI Collective describes itself as a nonprofit grassroots community spanning founders, researchers, operators, and investors across major tech hubs, while its Hampton Roads branch is positioning itself as a local access point for AI events, support, and partnerships. Patterson made clear that the Virginia event is not being treated as a one-off, writing that similar momentum would be brought to Hampton Roads next. S Carahsoft’s role as venue host also points to the growing overlap between public sector technology ecosystems and workforce skilling. The company works across government, education, healthcare, and private sector technology markets, making it a natural meeting point for public-interest AI training efforts. ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recogn ize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.

#TECH
Sluggish economy spooks small housebuilders
cityam28d ago

Sluggish economy spooks small housebuilders

Small and medium (SME) housebuilders are being put off from investing in new projects by the UK’s economy and housing market, according to a new report. As many as 70 per cent of SME building firms said current market conditions are reducing their appetite for starting new sites and a quarter expect to cut back [...]

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Cellnex UK appoints Cray as MD
advanced_television28d ago

Cellnex UK appoints Cray as MD

Cellnex, the European operator of telco infrastructure, has announced the appointment of Steve Cray as Managing Director of Cellnex UK, effective immediately. Cray steps into the role following the appointment of Gianluca Landolina to a new position within the Cellnex Telecom as CEO of Vertical Solutions. Cray commented: “It is an honour to take on the [...]

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Crypto Fear Gauge Hits Extreme Level Even As Traders Bet On Relief Rally
newsbtc28d ago

Crypto Fear Gauge Hits Extreme Level Even As Traders Bet On Relief Rally

Bitcoin’s fear gauge plunged back into “Extreme Fear” on Wednesday — the same day traders flooded social media with bullish calls following the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady. Related Reading: Ripple’s $500M Raise And Institutional Ties Keep XRP Firmly In Place Sentiment Shoots Up Despite Grim Market Signals The Crypto Fear & Greed Index, a widely tracked measure of overall market mood, had briefly climbed into plain “Fear” territory the day before, only to reverse course hours later. Yet traders appeared unfazed. According to sentiment platform Santiment, bullish chatter on social media spiked hard after the Fed announced it would keep rates unchanged at 3.5–3.75%. The platform’s social media discussion score shot from roughly nine to 71 within hours of the announcement. Bitcoin itself told a different story. It was trading at around $70,150 at the time of the Fed’s announcement, down more than 4% in the prior 24 hours. 🇺🇸 Today’s FOMC meeting has resulted in the expected outcome of interest rates holding steady at 3.50-3.75%. There is an expectation that there will be one further cut sometime in 2026, and one in 2027. 📈 For now, traders are expecting a bullish relief rally in spite of no... pic.twitter.com/oBqLTcv3Ni — Santiment (@santimentfeed) March 18, 2026 Traders See Rate Hold As A Window For Gains Santiment attributed the surge in positive sentiment to a simple shift in trader thinking. The bearish price action tied to the absence of rate cuts had already played out a day earlier, the platform said, leaving room for traders to reframe the unchanged rate decision as a net positive. Holding rates steady, the logic goes, at least keeps the door open for cuts down the road. Fed policy has long shaped how crypto market participants read the broader economic environment. Rate cuts, in particular, are seen as fuel for risk assets like Bitcoin. Reports indicate traders had been watching the Fed’s moves closely throughout 2025 as a potential trigger for a bull run that never fully materialized. The S&P 500 has shed 3.70% over the past 30 days, according to Google Finance data, adding pressure to an already skittish crypto market. Analysts Warn A False Rally Could Be Taking Shape Not everyone is buying the optimism. Onchain analysts warned that what looks like an uptrend could be a bull trap — a false signal that draws buyers in before prices reverse lower. Related Reading: XRP Moves Into ‘Scarce Zone’ As Exchange Supply Dries Up Some market observers expect Bitcoin and the broader market to stage a sharp rally once equities find a floor. Others made a similar call earlier this week, saying on X that a “massive rally” is coming in the months ahead. The divide among analysts reflects how unsettled conditions remain. Social media buzz has spiked, but the fear index says something else entirely. Whether the rally traders are counting on shows up — or fades before it starts — remains an open question. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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