Wyoming Business Leaders Discuss State’s Economy and Emerging Technologies

During a gathering from November 13 to 15, business leaders from Wyoming met to discuss the future of the state’s economy and ways to improve their own businesses. Several panels were held at the event, including one on emerging technologies and the first ever economic forecast.

One of the main topics discussed during the emerging technologies panel was AI and how Wyoming can use it to advance in producing energy. Ed Seidel, president of the University of Wyoming (UW), expressed his desire to push AI research at UW, emphasizing the importance of taking AI seriously in the state. Petroleum Engineering Professor Dr. Mohammad Piri agreed and highlighted how AI could be used for poor space exploration, predicting where oil is stored so it can be extracted.

The first ever economic forecast was also presented during the event. Elected leaders and legislators discussed various topics related to the state’s economy in Wyoming. Dr. Anne Alexander, assistant dean of the UW College of Business, began by providing an overview of the state’s economy. She noted that inflation is beginning to moderate and that the state’s population is expected to increase. However, she pointed out some systemic problems such as unaffordable housing, challenges in accessing childcare for workers, and low college-going numbers among young people in agriculture, hospitality, construction industries are doing well but natural resources mining financial services have a mixed forecast which are complex issues.

Another major topic covered was the housing crisis in Wyoming and ways to resolve it. The issue garnered a variety of responses with Megan Degenfelder arguing that government should not be involved in solving it while Secretary of State Chuck Gray believed focusing on infrastructure needs first would help address it before getting into regulation discussions. Senate President Ogden Driskill and Speaker of House Albert Sommers both suggested that government needed to step in and help find a solution for this problem which they saw as urgent need for action .

The next Wyoming Business Alliance event will be held on February 24th next year at 2024 Legislative Reception