AARI
Founder and operator of a workforce model built around infrastructure, robotics, and quantum readiness.
Paid speaker, founder, educator, infrastructure strategist
Nolan builds the operators behind the AI infrastructure economy.
Founder of the Atlanta AI & Robotics Initiative. Former Microsoft AI and cloud specialist. Army-trained operator. Speaker on AI infrastructure, robotics, quantum literacy, edge systems, and workforce development.
Available for keynotes, workshops, executive briefings, private strategy sessions, and curriculum-backed technical engagements.
Founder, Atlanta AI & Robotics Initiative
Georgia Tech MBA
Morehouse College alumnus
Former Microsoft AI & Cloud Specialist
U.S. Army Veteran
GTBAO Entrepreneur of the Year
Work with Microsoft, NVIDIA, Red Hat, Cisco, QTS, Google Cloud, Morehouse, University of Michigan
About Nolan
Built for rooms that need more than inspiration.
Nolan speaks from the operating layer. His work is not about generic AI optimism. It is about what it actually takes to build systems, talent pipelines, and technical institutions that can carry AI into the real world.
Short Bio
Nolan is the founder and executive director of the Atlanta AI & Robotics Initiative, a hands-on workforce initiative building AI infrastructure, robotics, quantum, and data center talent pipelines through Morehouse College and the Atlanta University Center. A former Microsoft AI and cloud specialist, U.S. Army veteran, and Georgia Tech MBA, Nolan helps students, executives, and institutions understand the systems underneath modern AI: energy, chips, infrastructure, models, edge deployment, and real-world adoption.
Longer Bio
Nolan’s work sits at the intersection of AI infrastructure, robotics, cloud systems, quantum literacy, and workforce development. Through AARI, he is building a practical talent pipeline that trains students to become operators, not observers. His work spans hands-on workshops, edge AI demos, robotics education, quantum computing labs, data center curriculum, and partnerships with major technology companies and academic institutions. His core message is simple: the future of AI will belong to people who understand the infrastructure beneath it.
Microsoft
Former AI and cloud specialist with direct experience translating enterprise AI into operating reality.
Atlanta
Building talent pipelines through Morehouse College, the AUC, K-12 partnerships, and employer-backed labs.
Speaking Topics
Topics built for technical leaders, institutions, educators, and workforce builders.
From Demos to Infrastructure
Why AI adoption fails when organizations confuse prototypes with production systems.
Physical AI Is the Next Wave
Robotics, edge inference, sensors, simulation, and real-world intelligence beyond chatbots.
The AI Infrastructure Workforce Gap
What students need to learn: Linux, cloud, GPUs, networking, data centers, edge deployment, and debugging.
Quantum Literacy for the Next Generation
Why quantum computing, quantum-safe security, and hybrid systems belong in workforce education now.
Operators, Not Observers
How AARI is building a hands-on HBCU talent pipeline across AI, robotics, infrastructure, and quantum.
Edge AI and Technical Sovereignty
Why local inference, private AI systems, Jetson devices, and campus data centers matter for ownership.
Energy to App
The full stack of AI: energy, chips, infrastructure, models, deployment, and applications.
Workshops & Technical Sessions
Hands-on sessions built for real understanding, not passive attendance.
AI Infrastructure Bootcamp
Students learn the full stack behind AI: Linux, cloud, GPUs, networking, containers, and deployment.
Edge AI Deployment Lab
A hands-on session using robotics or sensor data, model optimization, and edge inference concepts.
Quantum Literacy Workshop
A beginner-friendly session covering quantum concepts, circuits, Q#, CUDA-Q, and quantum-safe thinking.
Robotics + AI Workforce Lab
A practical workshop connecting robotics, simulation, physical AI, sensors, and student-built systems.
Executive AI Infrastructure Briefing
A private strategy session for leaders who need to understand what AI adoption actually requires.
Speaking Rates
Serious work, scoped clearly.
Rates are based on event format, audience size, preparation required, travel, recording rights, and whether custom curriculum, demos, or workshops are included.
| Engagement | Rate |
|---|---|
| Virtual keynote, up to 60 minutes | Starting at $2,500 |
| Virtual workshop, 90 minutes | Starting at $5,000 |
| In-person keynote, up to 60 minutes | $7,500–$10,000 |
| Half-day workshop | $10,000–$15,000 |
| Full-day workshop / executive session | $20,000+ |
| Panel appearance | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Private advisory / strategy session | $500–$750 per hour |
| Custom curriculum, lab, or demo build | Scoped separately |
| Recording, redistribution, or reuse | Additional licensing required |
Reduced rates may be considered for mission-aligned schools, nonprofits, HBCUs, and student-serving organizations, but must be discussed in advance.
Before Booking
Scope the room before we scope the work.
To scope the engagement properly, please include the following:
- Event date
- Event location
- Virtual, in-person, or hybrid
- Expected audience size
- Audience type
- Desired format
- Session length
- Whether the session will be recorded, streamed, distributed, or reused
- Speaker budget
- Travel coverage
- Point of contact for contract and payment
Speaker Rider
Clear expectations protect the work.
Payment
- Payment due within 30 days of event
- 50% deposit required for custom workshops, curriculum, or technical demo builds
- Travel billed separately unless included in a flat package
- Recording, redistribution, or reuse requires written approval and additional licensing
Travel
- Round-trip airfare from Atlanta, GA
- Ground transportation to and from airport, hotel, and venue
- Hotel accommodation, Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt preferred
- Meals or per diem during event travel
Technical Requirements for In-Person
- Wireless lavalier or headset mic
- HDMI-compatible projector or large display
- Clicker or tech assistant
- Reliable Wi-Fi
- Table space for demos if technical session is included
Technical Requirements for Virtual
- Zoom, Teams, or similar platform
- Host privileges for screen sharing
- Tech check at least 48 hours in advance
- Recording not permitted without prior written approval
Press Kit
Assets for event teams, media, and partners.
Media, Awards & Recognition
Signals that this work lands in real rooms.
Book Nolan
Speaking, workshops, executive briefings, media requests, and partnerships.
For speaking, workshops, executive briefings, media requests, or partnership inquiries, please include the event date, audience size, desired format, recording plans, and available speaker budget.
Email: nolan@atlanta-robotics.org
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Focus: AI infrastructure, robotics, edge AI, quantum literacy, workforce development