EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — As Texas communities look for ways to stay competitive in the AI economy, Microsoft is bringing a workforce development summit to El Paso on Tuesday, focused on how communities can prepare for what’s next.

The two-day summit aims to highlight how Artificial Intelligence can be applied in the workforce to help drive development.

According to Microsoft, the borderland has already begun to serve as an example of how regions without a major tech hub can build momentum in the AI era.

For instance, the launch of Microsoft’s TechSpark program and expanded computer science education in the area have increased the number of high schools from 4 to 40.

The El Paso Innovation Hub has trained more than 10,000 residents and supported more than 500 local businesses with digital and AI skills.

Organizers say the work underway along the El Paso–Juárez border reflects broader challenges many communities are facing, including strengthening education pipelines and helping small businesses adapt to new technology.

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