AI's Role in Boosting Community Health and Happiness

Published Date : 17/09/2025 

The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, is hosting a free community conversation on artificial intelligence. The event, 'How AI Can Strengthen Our Communities,' aims to explore the potential of AI in improving various aspects of community life. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, will host a free community conversation on artificial intelligence at the upcoming Spotlight Tampa Bay event, “How AI Can Strengthen Our Communities.” The forum will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

From 5-6 p.m., attendees can explore the community resource center, which will feature booths from various organizations, including the St. Petersburg Innovation District, The Dalí Museum, Kevin Hohl — Virtual Reality, the USF Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education, SPC’s College of Computer and Information Technology, CodeBoxx Academy, the League of Women Voters of St. Petersburg, Jaurice Moore — Visual Artist, and the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.

At 6 p.m., local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on artificial intelligence. AI is here to stay, and its influence will only grow. What does this mean for our community? Join Spotlight Tampa Bay to explore how AI can improve access to jobs, transportation, education, and health care while strengthening our neighborhoods. The discussion will examine how local businesses and governments can use AI to enhance services, tackle challenges like inequality and isolation, and involve residents in shaping the future. Ignoring AI may be the biggest risk of all.

“In some aspects, we will look back at these early years of AI and wonder how we ever lived without it,” said Conan Gallaty, chairman and CEO of the Tampa Bay Times. “In other aspects, we will look back and wish it had never been created. How we adopt AI now will determine where that line is eventually drawn.”

The conversation, moderated by Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise at The Poynter Institute, will feature Dr. John Licato, associate professor at the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing; Martika Brianne Jones, founder and CEO of BŪP and Loom Co.; Dr. Zafer Unal, professor and associate dean of undergraduate studies at the USF College of Education; Michael O. Bice, MHA lecturer, AI & Health Series; and Vivian Sun, senior director of IT at Jabil.

“As we come together to set the parameters and guidelines for AI’s use, it’s of paramount importance that we do so in ways that include and consider equity,” said Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg President and CEO Dr. Kanika Tomalin. “Doing so will help ensure we harness AI in ways that make our community stronger, healthier, and more equitable for generations to come.”

Doors open at 5 p.m. The resource center will be held from 5-6 p.m. The panel discussion, which will include questions from the audience, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees should register at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the Spotlight Tampa Bay community conversation series, email mwhiteley@tampabay.com.

About the Tampa Bay Times:

The Tampa Bay Times, winner of 14 Pulitzer Prizes, is Florida’s largest newspaper and a trusted source for news. As a locally owned and independent media organization, the Times also operates tampabay.com. In addition to its flagship publication, the company publishes the free weekly tbt Weekend and Bay magazine, offering comprehensive coverage of local news, entertainment, and lifestyles.

About the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg:

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As the steward of an endowment to support health equity in Pinellas County, the foundation leads, funds, advocates, and partners to create a community in which all people can lead healthy lives. The foundation advances racially equitable health outcomes by improving the systems and conditions that shape them. It opened its Center for Health Equity in 2019. To learn more, visit healthystpete.foundation. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main focus of the community conversation on AI?

A: The main focus is on exploring how artificial intelligence can improve access to jobs, transportation, education, and health care, while strengthening communities and addressing challenges like inequality and isolation.

Q: When and where is the event taking place?

A: The event is taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at The Palladium, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the panel discussion will be from 6-7:30 p.m.

Q: Who are the panelists for the AI discussion?

A: The panelists include Dr. John Licato, Martika Brianne Jones, Dr. Zafer Unal, Michael O. Bice, and Vivian Sun, all experts in various fields related to AI and community development.

Q: How can I register for the event?

A: You can register for the event at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free.

Q: What is the role of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg in this event?

A: The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a partner in the event and is committed to ensuring that the discussion on AI includes considerations of equity and health, aiming to create a more inclusive and healthy community. 

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