Jerome Bettis, aka "The Bus," billionaire Mark Cuban, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be on hand for Pittsburgh's next big business pitch.

Why it matters: The NFL Draft is a major opportunity for Pittsburgh to attract serious business investment, PNC economist Gus Faucher told Axios last week.

The big picture: AI Horizons Pittsburgh is hosting an invite-only Draft Week Showcase on April 22, the day before the draft begins.

• It will feature celebrities, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Dave McCormick, and civic and business leaders all focused on selling the Steel City as an emerging tech hub.
• Cuban, a Pittsburgh-area native and host of "Shark Tank," will help judge a contest along with Dick's Sporting Goods founder Ed Stack and others.
• The contest will dole out a $1.75 million prize to an AI company that will move to Pittsburgh if they win, AI Horizons organizer Joanna Doven tells Axios.

Yes, but: That's only a fraction of the investment that leaders hope comes out of the showcase.

• Organized by Carnegie Mellon University and the AI Strike Team, it aims to accelerate connections between investors and the region's growing physical AI, biomedical and tech sectors, per a press release.
• "This event brings the top global names in Pittsburgh together to show investors, athletes and executives here for Draft Week that the future is once again being built here – we are the Steel and AI City," said Doven.

Zoom in: It takes place at CMU's Robotics Innovation Center at Hazelwood Green.

• Bettis, a Steelers legend, will kick off the event in the morning, and speeches from Shapiro, Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor, and former Penguins CEO David Morehouse will follow.

The bottom line

The AI revolution presents "the most profound moment of change in our lifetimes" and Americans are rightly concerned about how it will affect them, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) told Axios' Mike Allen at a News Shapers event yesterday.

Why it matters: McCormick is an AI champion on Capitol Hill, but he acknowledged that it comes with risks to Americans, the environment and economy that must be mitigated.

What he's saying: McCormick argued Americans have more money in their pockets under President Trump, but said consumers don't feel that because housing, energy and health care costs are on the rise.

• "Energy demand is going to triple in the next 15 years," McCormick said, and Congress needs to ensure those costs don't trickle down to Americans.
• McCormick introduced a bill with Sen. Christopher Coons (D-Del.) to foster liquid cooling technology to boost data centers while keeping utility bills down.

Flashback: McCormick last year announced $70 billion in AI and energy investments for Pennsylvania.

• He has warned the U.S. can't afford to lose an AI race with China.

Go deeper

"The Pitt's" season 2 finale is tonight — and, in Axios Pittsburgh's proud tradition of newsroom banter, we have thoughts.

Why it matters: This season doubled down on rising tension among our Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center crew, but plenty remains open-ended.

Here are our predictions, with a few creative liberties.

💭 Ryan's take: Dr. Al-Hashimi will quit and won't take over as daytime attending.

• Dr. McKay will decide she's skipping her date at the art gallery at 40th and Butler, opting instead to go home and take a bath. That's fortunate, because McKay would just get stuck in the notoriously slow Wendy's drive-thru.
• We'll see no resolution for Baby Jane Doe — commentary on how life isn't always fair, man [hippie voice].

💭 Chloe's take: Dr. Robby's friend Duke will choose to forgo surgery, causing Dr. Robby to rethink his future.

• Ogilvie will return and save the day with a last-minute intubation.
• Dr. Santos and Dr. Whitaker will share one awkward hug that they will never speak about again.

💭 Alexis' take: Dr. Mohan will not make an appearance during the finale. She's reportedly not coming back for the next season, and there won't be a goodbye scene.

• Dr. Langdon will confront Dr. Robby and stand up for himself.

💭 Chrissy's take: Dr. Robby will latch onto what he learned about Dr. Al-Hashimi in last week's episode and cancel his sabbatical. Dr. Abbot and Duke will convince him, begrudgingly, to start unpacking his trauma in a healthier way.

• Season 3 will open with a winter shift. Dr. Whitaker, treating someone with carbon monoxide poisoning, will not-so-subtly remind his patient, and us, that "it's responsible for 100,000 ER visits each year."

What's next: The finale airs at 9pm on HBO Max.

• Reply to this email with your predictions!

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✡️ Tree of Life campus construction has started in Squirrel Hill. The site — which experienced the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history — will be converted into a museum and worship center. (Press release)

🧊 Allegheny County Council on Tuesday introduced legislation to bar law enforcement, including ICE, from wearing masks or concealing their identity while on duty, with limited exceptions. (Post-Gazette)

🗳️ Allegheny County voters will decide in November whether to impose a three-term limit on County Council members and row offices like controller, district attorney, sheriff, and treasurer. (WESA)

Saturday

Grab an IC Light and watch the Riverhounds take on Detroit City FC at $1 Beer Night.

• 📍 Highmark Stadium, 510 W. Station Square Drive
• ⏰ 7pm
• 💰 $33+

Explore plant-based eats and local vendors at VegFair.

• 📍Rockwell Park, Point Breeze
• ⏰ 11am-4pm
• 💰 Free!

Get nostalgic at Kennywood's opening day.

• 📍4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin
• ⏰ 11am-7pm
• 💰$38+

Sunday

Welcome spring at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's artisan market and plant sale.

• 📍794 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale
• ⏰ 10am-3pm
• 💰 Regular admission ($18 per adult)