Council backs PGH Lab pilot cohort funding to test drones, AI and digital‑twin tools

The innovation committee recommended approval of Bill 25‑60, the PGH Lab resolution authorizing up to $100,000 for startup participation and municipal pilot cohorts.

Program staff said PGH Lab is entering its tenth year and has completed dozens of pilots. "We are entering the tenth year of PGH Lab," the program manager said, and described a shift toward a "customer‑first" model that pays participating companies $25,000 per pilot to test technology with city departments.

The committee heard descriptions of four selected pilots: an underwater/drone search‑and‑rescue capability coordinated with EMS and River Rescue; drone thermal mapping to help target residential insulation work for sustainability programs; an AI literacy and workforce training effort for city employees; and a digital‑twin mapping pilot to help GIS and operations make real‑time data more actionable.

Members expressed support and asked about safeguards. Council members said they value low‑cost testing to surface practical tools and noted the city’s new data governance and AI policy work. Staff said pilots are short (six to nine months), tied to department champions and include statements of work and data governance oversight.

The committee approved the pilot funding with an affirmative recommendation. Staff invited council members to attend the program's end‑of‑year presentations and to review outcomes and governance practices as pilots conclude.

Next steps: program staff will finalize pilot contracts, launch the cohorts and present pilot results to the council at year‑end demonstrations.