technology | FFXnow

New STEM lab from Virginia Tech brings students across Fairfax to Groveton school

Published October 22, 2025 at 10:00AM

Bren Mar Park Elementary School students at Bucknell Elementary School's Thinkabit Lab (photo by Jamie Rogers)

As Fairfax County Public Schools leaders consider a policy to guide the usage of artificial intelligence in classrooms, a lab program from Virginia Tech is already preparing some students to be at the forefront of technological change.

Bucknell Elementary School in Groveton is the new home of the Thinkabit Lab Innovation Space, a tactile learning hub developed by the wireless technology manufacturer Qualcomm that’s designed to pique students’ interests in science and prepare them for careers in technology.

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FCPS seeks to prepare students for future by incorporating AI tools in schools

By Nolan Stout

Published October 20, 2025 at 10:00AM

A Cub Run Elementary School student uses Adobe Express to create an image of himself for a class (via DIT Labs/YouTube)

Fairfax County Public Schools officials want to make sure students are using artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a crutch.

FCPS doesn’t have a comprehensive policy governing the use of AI, but officials are working on one. Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Fairfax County School Board at a work session this month (Oct. 7) that it’s important to make sure everyone is on the same page because AI is such a broad topic.

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Commanders rename training facility after Tysons AI tech contractor

By Angela Woolsey

Published August 21, 2025 at 11:45AM

Rendering of the newly named BigBear.ai Performance Center training bubble (courtesy Washington Commanders)

Though it’s not going to host their new stadium, Fairfax County continues to put its stamp on the Washington Commanders.

D.C.’s NFL team has granted the naming rights to its training facility in Ashburn to BigBear.ai, a Tysons-based contractor that develops artificial intelligence technology.

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Fairfax County tests AI for public safety calls, eyes expanded implementation

By Jared Serre

Published August 20, 2025 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County's 911 operations floor in the McConnell Public Safety & Transportation Operations Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Yesterday (Tuesday) marked a major milestone in the future of Fairfax County’s emergency response: one of the agency’s first uses of artificial intelligence.

For a brief period of time that day, the county’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) tested an AI system to triage select calls for service to the non-emergency line, officials announced.

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Fairfax business leaders double down on AI as region’s economic future

By Vernon Miles

Published July 22, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated July 28, 2025 at 11:30AM

David Metric, managing director of Accenture Management Consulting (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

As federal worker layoffs drive up unemployment, a new roadmap to reshaping the regional economy, proposed by local business leaders, says Northern Virginia will have to reinvent its economy if it hopes to succeed.

The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC) and consulting firm Accenture released the NOVA Roadmap yesterday (Monday) at a press conference, calling it a “bold, actionable vision to reimagine the region’s economy.”

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IT contractor plans $1M expansion of Tysons headquarters

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2025 at 9:15AM

EastBoro I office building at 8251 Greensboro Drive in Tysons (via Google Maps)

An information technology company that received competing offers from Texas, Florida and West Virginia has decided to stay put in Tysons.

Described by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority as “one of the fastest growing” IT service companies in the U.S., 22nd Century Technologies is committing $1 million to an expansion of its headquarters in the EastBoro I office building at 8251 Greensboro Drive.

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Cybersecurity company moves into new global HQ at Reston Station

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 10, 2025 at 9:15AM

A conference room at GuidePoint Security's new headquarters in Reston Station (courtesy GuidePoint Security)

A growing cybersecurity company recently made the leap from Herndon to Reston.

GuidePoint Security opened its new global headquarters in the distinctive office building at 1900 Reston Metro Plaza in Reston Station on June 3, a move that the company says followed “a period of record growth.”

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NEW: Fairfax leaders bullish on AI industry growth but see need to prepare for job impacts

By Vernon Miles

Published June 5, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated June 6, 2025 at 10:50AM

Supervisor Dan Storck at meeting discussing AI Coalition development (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Fairfax County doesn’t want to be left behind in what’s looking like an artificial intelligence arms race.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors Council for Economic Opportunity on Tuesday (June 3), regional government and private sector leaders discussed plans to assemble an AI Coalition.

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Park Authority overhauls camp registration to prevent system crashes

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 28, 2025 at 8:15AM

Fairfax County Park Authority offers a robust summer-camp program (screenshot via Fairfax County Park Authority)

Hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s technology meltdown, Fairfax County Park Authority officials are making revisions to their 2025 spring and summer camp registration procedures.

The biggest change: The first day of registration will vary depending on where a camp program is located.

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GMU to help Fairfax County adopt AI tech for 911 call center

By Jared Serre

Published December 11, 2024 at 9:00AM

Inside Fairfax County's 911 center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Thanks to a grant of nearly $1 million, Fairfax County’s emergency response stands to capitalize on recent gains in artificial intelligence.

The county’s Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) is partnering with George Mason University’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC) for a project that will embrace AI solutions to tackle challenges faced by emergency communications systems across the region.