Plus, Sweetgreen is making its local debut.
 
07.10.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE

Today’s Forecast

96º | 15% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:57 a.m. | Sunset 8:32 p.m.

 

🧠 The brains behind AI in Richmond

5 Richmond companies using AI in their work

Exterior of the CarMax location in Midtown
CarMax is putting AI to good use on West Broad Street. | Photo via RICtoday staff
It feels like discussions of artificial intelligence (AI) are everywhere — especially following Apple’s announcement of Apple Intelligence. The field of study aims to replicate human thinking through the use of machines, and local companies have found smart ways to utilize the technology.

Virginia ranks as the No. 2 best state for AI jobs, so we wanted to take a look at five local companies using AI and the ways they’re applying the tech.

CarMax

This used car company’s Digital Innovation Center is in Richmond, and it houses many engineering jobs that incorporate AI and machine learning. In 2023, CarMax partnered with UVeye, a company that employs AI to provide vehicle assessments to customers.

Empower.AI

Headquartered in Reston, this AI solutions company opened a Richmond facility in 2022. Empower.AI provides insights to support federal missions and government agencies, and its technology has helped the US Department of Defense and armed forces for 30+ years.

Capital One

The second largest employer in Richmond works to find banking solutions, including at its West Creek campus. Recent job postings are looking for candidates with knowledge of AI, which the business uses to analyze financial profiles and provide support solutions.

Ignitho Technologies

This company has a development center in Richmond where it uses AI and robotic process automation to analyze data, predict outcomes, and generate user cases. It has supported companies in fields like advertising, security, and health care.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

In 2022, this biotech company opened a lab in Richmond that will help make progress in immunology and pharmaceutical developments. AI has become an integral part of the company’s research, especially as a tool to study genetic analysis.

Want to learn more about Richmond’s AI efforts? Local group AI Ready RVA is organizing efforts to welcome AI jobs, education, and seminars to the city.
Asked

How do you feel about AI-generated content?


A. I like it, I love seeing technology in action
B. I’m not a fan
C. It’s OK, as long as humans edit it
What's on your mind?
Virginia Lottery
 
Events
Wednesday, July 10
  • Folias Duo Mini-Concert | Wednesday, July 10 | 6-8 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, 2501 Monument Ave., Richmond | $35-$160 | Flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron perform this classical and jazz show.
  • Fitness Warriors: Fit 4 Favor | Wednesday, July 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | RPL Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., Richmond | Free | Coach Erica leads this low/mid intensity cardio class.
Thursday, July 11
  • “Samurai: From War to Peace” Talk | Thursday, July 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $5-$8 | Constantine Vaporis, history professor at the University of Maryland, explores Japan’s transformation from a warring era to an era of peace.
  • Community Night: The Mixer | Thursday, July 11 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Coalition Theater, 8 W. Broad St., Richmond | $5 | This improv mixer welcomes new and seasoned performers to act out scenes or watch the show — entry is free for performers.
Friday, July 12
  • Butterfly Pinning 101 | Friday, July 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond | $75-$87 | This class leads participants through the process of pinning a Giant Blue Morpho butterfly — supplies included.
  • Emo Night Brooklyn | Friday, July 12 | 8 p.m. | The Broadberry, 2729 W. Broad St., Richmond | $18 | Break out your dark clothing and eyeliner for this celebration of emo music.
Saturday, July 13
  • All White Southern Soul Music Festival | Saturday, July 13 | 7 p.m. | Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond | $81-$110 | This soulful celebration features performances from King George, Pokey Bear, In Gratitude: A Tribute to Earth Wind & Fire, and more.
Sunday, July 14
  • Jon Meadows | Sunday, July 14 | 1-3 p.m. | River City Roll, 939 Myers St., Richmond | Free entry | The soulful performer takes the stage for this Second Sunday Brunch Show.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Coming Soon
  • Sweetgreen, a national fast casual chain, is bringing its popular salads and protein bowls to Richmond. It will open its first River City location next to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Carytown. No firm opening date has been announced. (Richmond BizSense)
Health
  • Feeling under the weather? A new Bon Secours Urgent Care has opened on Nine Mile Road in Richmond’s East End. The 3,800-sqft facility has eight treatment rooms, on-site labs, and X-rays. It’s currently open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. (ABC 8News)
Regional
  • A new roller coaster is coming soon to Kings Dominion, and fans are expecting something big. The park received approval from Hanover County for the build, which will replace the now-closed Volcano coaster. There’s no construction timeline, but the amusement park celebrates 50 years in 2025. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Development
  • The upcoming Diamond District ballpark appointed Gilbane and Prestige Construction Group as its general contractors. The $110 million stadium project is expected to be completed for the 2026 baseball season. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Outdoors
  • Applications for grants from The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation are now open. The nonprofit supports programs to improve recreational trail access. A total of $20,000 is available from the Capital Trail Outdoor Equity Fund to support programming for underserved communities, including people with physical or intellectual disabilities.
Edu
  • University of Richmond professor Jillean McCommons has been awarded Wilma Dykeman “Faces of Appalachia” research funding. The grant supports post-doctoral research pertaining to race, ethnicity, or gender in Appalachia. McCommons’ studies will center on contributions from Black Appalachian women. (RVA Hub)
Finance
  • Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*
 
Plan Ahead

🎸 We’re perched for porch concerts

Tiny porch concerts take over Woodland Heights

RICtoday_TinyPorchConcerts_WoodlandHeights
Bring a chair or chill on the yard at each concert. | Photo by Emily McMillen
A growing Woodland Heights event series returns Sunday, July 21. After kicking off its season last month, various houses in the Southside neighborhood will continue to host Tiny Porch Concerts featuring local artists.

This month, the shows will take place on the following porches:

612 W. 26th St.
  • 5:00-5:50 p.m. | Michael Hawkins | Jazz
  • 6:00-6:50 p.m. | Nothing Rhymes With Orange | Indie rock
400 W. 24th St.
  • 5:30-6:20 p.m. | Brothers King | Folk and bluegrass
  • 6:30-7:20 p.m. | Tall Joshua | Folk, jazz, and blues
406 W. 25th St.
  • 6:00-6:50 p.m. | Elle Christine | Indie-folk
  • 7:00-7:50 p.m. | Brookhouse | Folk, rock, and funk
You can also grab dinner from King of Pops and 1115 Mobile Kitchen at the intersection of 25th and McDonough.

Can’t make it this weekend? There are three future concerts scheduled for Aug. 18, Sept. 15, and Oct. 20.
The Buy

The Buy 7.10.24 (Affiliate)

Cozy Earth’s Bamboo Viscose Sheet Set, so you can enjoy soft, luxurious sheets that also keep you cool. How you know they’re good: The sheets were featured on Oprah’s 2018 Favorite Things list.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Michael Beausoleil

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor
I’m a national content editor at 6AM City, RICtoday’s parent company, so I will be helping out with the newsletter occasionally.

I know Richmond is home to many talented people, but did you know its the birthplace of Aimee Mann? Her song “Voices Carry” with her group ‘Til Tuesday is one of my favorite songs from the 1980s.
Missed our previous newsletter?    
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback    
Advertise    
Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More    
 
Feedback on Today's Newsletter

Did you like today’s newsletter?

 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY