OAIRE symposium attracts aerospace industry leaders

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

If you were to use an eyedropper to fill the Grand Canyon with water and double the amount of drops you put in every minute, how long do you think it would take to fill? 

The answer is a mere 66 minutes — a stark representation of an exponential growth curve that perfectly illustrates the growth rate of processing power and AI. That’s according to Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education Executive Director Jamey Jacob, who delivered the keynote address to industry leaders, researchers and policymakers Tuesday at the OSU’s Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City at the Emerging Aerospace Symposium. 

“We’re at the point with AI where the linear growth line (computing power of the human brain) and the exponential growth curve (AI computing power) have intersected,” Jacob said. “Given that, the next decade of AI development is unpredictable and will continue to evolve at an exponential rate.” 

The symposium explored past achievements and future potential of the U.S. aerospace industry and featured panel discussions and a keynote speech from Jacob, a leading expert in drone applications and technology who serves as OAIRE’s executive director.

“The opportunity for these experts and leaders to assemble is crucial for the continued success of Oklahoma in the aerospace industry,” Dr. Jacob said. “The hope is that the conversations that take place at events like these will eventually lead to new resources, new technology and new partnerships that will translate to Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma continuing to lead in aerospace for the U.S.”

The aerospace and defense industry is the second-largest and fastest-growing industry in Oklahoma. With over 200,000 jobs and more than $40 billion in economic activity, events like the Emerging Aerospace Symposium provide crucial opportunities for individuals from across the aerospace sector to discuss topics including research and discovery, industry impact and commercialization.

The panel discussions leveraged insights from industry leaders to instigate meaningful discussions that impact the broad scope of aerospace in Oklahoma — including OSU faculty members discussing aerospace research and workforce development, thoughts from aerospace leaders on continual industry growth and how to reinforce the state as a leader, and business experts focused on the commercialization of technology and attracting aerospace businesses to the state.

“I believe Oklahoma has significant room to continue to lead in this industry,” said Kinsley Jordan, state director for the UAS Cluster Initiative. “Oklahoma has a unique opportunity to attract domestic and international companies in the aerospace sector by providing resources that will help them succeed in the state and for the nation.”

Jacob’s keynote speech on AI in aerospace also touched on how those in the industry can leverage evolving and exponentially growing AI capabilities. Potential examples include AI drones acting as "ghost pilots” for air traffic control training, using AI in maintenance, repair and operations activities for the military, and implementation of urban air mobility capabilities — such as air taxis. 

“I don’t believe we’ll see a completely autonomous passenger airplane any time soon,” Jacob said. “Even though we’ll continue to see autonomy increasingly support the pilot workload and increase safety. However, AI and autonomous capabilities will continue to develop at an exponential rate and have a profound influence on the future of aerospace.” 

As the event drew to a close, everyone turned their eyes upward as the sky was illuminated by dozens of drones that conducted a nearly 15-minute show for all spectators — maneuvering into the shape of the OSU brand and numerous aircraft.

The show, while a spectacle itself, also provided a minuscule glimpse into the possibilities of drone technology given minor programming input and automation. 

“Today demonstrates the capabilities of the state of Oklahoma and its abundant resources poised to launch us into the future of aerospace development,” Jacob said. “OAIRE will employ OSU’s land-grant mission to propel the university and the state into an orange age of aerospace exploration.”