Artificial intelligence is one of SC Competes’ priority “critical technologies” for growing South Carolina’s economy and talent base. With the launch of its Palmetto AI Corridor in 2021, SC Competes acts as a connector and catalyst: we convene industry–academic–government partners, map opportunities and gaps, seed pilot programs, and translate AI into real use cases for education, workforce, and key supply chains. The goal is not just more AI activity, but a coordinated, statewide AI-enabled “corridor” that strengthens competitiveness across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, logistics/supply chain, agriculture, water, advanced energy, life sciences, and public services. Palmetto AI Corridor’s “north star” is clear: advance South Carolina as an “AI-Forward” state, known globally for real-world AI adoption, innovation, and workforce readiness.
Palmetto AI Corridor brings together South Carolina’s AI ecosystem—business leaders, peer organizations, AI professionals, universities, and state agencies—into a visible, collaborative network. Palmetto AI Corridoris also the organizing home for the state’s exploration of an “AI-Enabled Corridor” as part of the SC Smart Economic Development Plan, aligning AI development with broader economic priorities, and launching the design and development of the nation’s first project-based high school curriculum taught through the lens of SC industry case studied.
In partnership with SC Department of Commerce and state leaders, SC Competes acquired a Boston Dynamics robot “dog” in 2022 and turned it into a statewide AI-awareness catalyst. Students across South Carolina aptly named it “Palmetto Automated Learner,” or “PAL.” PAL now serves as an engaging, hands-on way to make AI tangible for young people, sparking interest in coding, robotics, and AI-powered careers. More than 8,000 students have been introduced to PAL, broadening the wide array of SC careers being reshaped by AI.
South Carolina has been heavily invested in setting the stage for “the future of work” as AI changes workforce needs and training required to adjust and weave AI skills into post-secondary training, upskilling, and life skills for everyday work life. AI in South Carolina is led from the very top: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster co-chairs the SREB16-state “AI in Education” Commission on which SC Competes and other stakeholders have been serving to develop recommendations across K12, Post-secondary, Education Policy, and work skills. The SC Competes team also sits on the SREB “AI in Education” Advisory Panel, alongside SC Representative Jeff Bradley.
South Carolina is already on a strong AI journey: robust industry clusters, R1 and R2 research leadership, statewide collaboration, and first-in-the-nation AI pathways built by South Carolina employers. The Palmetto AI Corridor is bringing those strengths into alignment and pushing them into the future. The vision is bold and practical: equip people, promote assets, connect innovators with end-users, and brand South Carolina as AI-Forward. With its Palmetto AI Corridor, SC Competes is ensuring AI becomes a shared statewide advantage — powering growth not for one sector, but for all of South Carolina.
“We are uniting industry, education, and innovation to drive the innovative, aggressive adoption of AI, ensuring our state leads in the intelligent tech-powered economy of the future.”
– Kim Christ, Director of Workforce Innovation, SC Competes –
