New Technology Hub in Historic Greenwood District to Advance AI, Cybersecurity and Autonomous Systems Innovation
TULSA, Okla. (June 4, 2026) — Microsoft and Black Tech Street have announced the opening of the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab, a collaborative technology hub designed to advance artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and autonomous systems innovation in Tulsa.
Located in the Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton building, known as GEM, in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district, the lab brings together startups, enterprises, researchers, public-sector organizations and technology leaders to develop, test and scale next-generation AI solutions.
The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab is part of the broader Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, a major initiative supported through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program following Tulsa’s 2024 designation as a Federal Tech Hub for leadership in autonomous systems.
“This grand opening represents a culmination of years of work and collaboration of several different partners,” said Tyrance Billingsley II, Founder and CEO of Black Tech Street and Greenwood AI Center of Excellence. “The GEM building is precious to the Greenwood community, so for Black Tech Street HQ and this Microsoft Lab to be housed in it, across from the Middle School I attended and be focused on making this community a leader in the most impactful technology in human history, AI, means more than I can put into words. The United States will need a model to look for how to catalyze impactful and community focused AI innovation as it looks to lead the world on this new frontier. Tulsa looks forward to being that example.”
Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab to Support Technology Innovation in Tulsa
The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab is designed as a collaborative environment where organizations can work alongside Microsoft engineers, researchers and technology leaders to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world challenges.
The lab will focus on applied technology development in areas that are critical to Tulsa’s emerging innovation economy, including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Autonomous systems
- Critical infrastructure security
- Responsible AI development
- AI-powered enterprise solutions
- Workforce development and technology education
The lab also provides access to advanced Microsoft AI and cybersecurity technologies, helping organizations explore practical use cases for next-generation digital tools.
Tulsa Tech Hub Strategy Builds Around AI and Autonomous Systems
The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab supports Tulsa’s broader strategy to become a national center for advanced autonomy technologies. Tulsa’s Tech Hubs coalition, led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, received $51 million in federal funding to help establish the region as a national leader in technologies such as drones, robotics and intelligent mobility systems.
Within that investment, $10.6 million was allocated to the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, which anchors the artificial intelligence component of Tulsa’s Tech Hub strategy.
As part of the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence, the lab strengthens Tulsa’s ability to connect world-class technology partners with community-rooted talent and industry-led innovation.
Greenwood AI Center of Excellence Focuses on Workforce and Applied Innovation
Designed and operated by Black Tech Street in partnership with Microsoft and SeedAI, the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence combines workforce development, education and applied technology innovation to help organizations and communities better understand, adopt and build with artificial intelligence technologies.
The initiative includes two primary components:
- ASPIRE, or AI Societal Program for Innovation, Research and Education: Focused on expanding AI fluency, workforce development and technology education.
- Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab: A collaborative environment where organizations can work alongside Microsoft engineers and technology leaders to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world challenges.
Together, these components are intended to create a model for community-focused AI innovation that can support Tulsa’s technology economy while preparing local workers, students and businesses for the future of AI.
Initial Lab Work to Focus on Four Strategic Areas
The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab will begin with work in four strategic areas that align with Tulsa’s Tech Hub priorities and the region’s growing technology ecosystem.
Initial focus areas include:
- Startups and enterprise innovation
- Critical infrastructure security
- Autonomous systems
- Responsible AI development
These focus areas are expected to support real-world technology applications across business, infrastructure, public-sector operations and emerging autonomous systems industries.
Lumen Technologies to Collaborate on AI and Infrastructure Resilience
As part of the lab’s launch, Microsoft and Black Tech Street also announced initial collaboration plans with Lumen Technologies. The collaboration will explore applied artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience and community engagement initiatives through the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab.
A longstanding Microsoft partner and major technology and communications employer in the Tulsa region, Lumen Technologies represents an early example of the collaborative ecosystem the lab is designed to support as engagement expands across startups, research institutions, public-sector organizations, infrastructure providers and other technology stakeholders.
“The AI era will be defined not just by the technology, but by the communities that shape how it’s built and used,” said Sean Alexander, Senior Vice President of Connected Ecosystem at Lumen Technologies. “As The Trusted Network for AI and a regional employer, Lumen looks forward to collaborating on contributing to community initiatives emerging from the Co-Innovation Lab anchored in Greenwood, helping turn AI ambition into real-world impact.”
Microsoft and Black Tech Street Support AI Readiness in Tulsa Public Schools
Microsoft is also working with Tulsa Public Schools through its Elevate program, alongside Black Tech Street, to support district-wide AI readiness initiatives.
The collaboration is focused on helping educators, students and administrators prepare for an AI-driven economy through:
- Educator training
- AI skilling opportunities
- AI-powered career pathways
- Industry-aligned student certification programs
- Exploration of Microsoft Copilot for administrative productivity
- Support for operational workflow improvements across the district
The education partnership is designed to help build a stronger talent pipeline for Tulsa’s emerging AI and advanced technology sectors.
Tulsa Innovation Labs Sees Lab as Milestone for Regional Tech Hub
As the lead organization for Tulsa’s Tech Hub coalition, Tulsa Innovation Labs views the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab as a major milestone in advancing the region’s strategy to become a national center for autonomous systems and artificial intelligence innovation.
“Today’s opening is a powerful milestone, not just for Greenwood, but for the entire Tulsa region and our Tech Hubs strategy,” said Jennifer Hankins, Managing Director of Tulsa Innovation Labs. “The Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab brings to life what this investment is meant to do: connect world-class partners, cutting-edge technology, and community-rooted talent to build something uniquely competitive on a global stage. At Tulsa Innovation Labs, we see this as a proof point for how our broader strategy comes together to advance leadership in autonomous systems and AI while ensuring that innovation translates into real opportunity for people.”
Greenwood District Positioned as a Hub for AI, Cybersecurity and Economic Opportunity
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols expressed support for the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab and the role it will play in strengthening the city’s growing technology ecosystem.
“Black Tech Street is helping position Tulsa as a city that is not just preparing for the future, but helping shape it,” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. “The opening of the Greenwood Cyber & AI Lab is a powerful investment in innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development rooted in one of the most historically significant communities in our country. Greenwood has always been a place of vision and economic opportunity, and through the leadership of Tyrance Billingsley and Black Tech Street, I’m excited for that legacy to continue in a bold new way. Tulsa is proud to support this work and excited about the opportunities this lab will create for our residents, businesses, and future generations.”
Project Highlights
- Project: Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab
- Location: Greenwood Entrepreneurship at Moton building in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district
- Partners: Microsoft, Black Tech Street and SeedAI
- Broader Initiative: Greenwood AI Center of Excellence
- Federal Support: U.S. Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs program
- Regional Lead: Tulsa Innovation Labs
- Tulsa Tech Hub Funding: $51 million
- Greenwood AI Center of Excellence Allocation: $10.6 million
- Focus Areas: AI, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, critical infrastructure security and responsible AI
- Early Collaborator: Lumen Technologies
- Education Partner: Tulsa Public Schools through Microsoft Elevate
Tulsa Builds National Model for Community-Focused AI Innovation
The launch of the Greenwood Cyber + AI Lab marks a significant step in Tulsa’s effort to become a national leader in AI, cybersecurity and autonomous systems. By anchoring advanced technology development in the historic Greenwood district, the initiative connects innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development with a community-centered economic development strategy.
The lab is expected to support startups, enterprises, public-sector partners and students while helping position Tulsa as a model for inclusive, applied AI innovation in the United States.
About Black Tech Street
Black Tech Street is an organization working to rebirth Historic Greenwood as a premier innovation economy rooted in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The organization’s goal is to pilot what a successful, accessible AI-powered economy can look like and scale the model nationally to help the United States responsibly compete and lead in the AI era.
