The Wire(s): Baltimore’s new AI lab tackles 27% internet gap in East Baltimore

Baltimore has launched an AI Computer Resource Lab at the Greenmount Recreation Center through a partnership with Intel and NWN, an AI-powered technology modernization company. The initiative targets underserved youth and seniors in East Baltimore, where over 27% of households lack internet access and 22% of adults don’t have a high school diploma, positioning the lab as a critical resource for bridging digital equity gaps in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

What you should know: The lab provides Intel-based AI PCs and hands-on learning experiences designed to build AI literacy among community members who traditionally lack access to advanced technology.

• Mayor Brandon Scott joined Intel and NWN executives to inaugurate the facility, which offers both hardware access and a tailored curriculum for AI education.
• The partnership stems from NWN’s previous work modernizing Baltimore’s 911 system and their hosting of the world’s first AI Athletics Day at the same recreation center in June 2024.

Why this matters: The digital divide in East Baltimore reflects broader national challenges as AI skills become essential for education and workforce participation.

• “This lab represents more than just access to powerful tools — it empowers students and seniors with the skills they need to thrive in a digital world,” said Jim Sullivan, NWN’s President and CEO.
• The initiative addresses critical infrastructure gaps in the Greenmount East neighborhood, where internet connectivity and educational attainment lag significantly behind national averages.

The big picture: Baltimore’s AI lab joins a growing trend of municipal governments investing public resources in digital and AI literacy programs.

• In 2024, the Amarillo Public Library in Texas launched a similar digital literacy initiative targeting broadband coverage gaps, where only 60% of residents had internet connectivity as of 2022.
• These local efforts reflect recognition that AI competency is becoming fundamental to economic participation and educational success.

What they’re saying: Community leaders emphasize the lab’s role in democratizing access to cutting-edge technology and skills.

• “It’s designed to make advanced skills and digital creativity accessible to everyone,” said Andrew Gilman, NWN’s Chief Marketing Officer. “To the East Baltimore community, this AI lab is your space. Use it to learn, to build, and to imagine.”
• Gilman noted high community engagement from the previous AI Athletics Day, saying: “What I love about what we did together as a partnership is that we set the groundwork for answering ‘What is AI?’ ‘How does it work?’ and ‘How can we get our kids learning and inspired by AI?'”