Pittsburgh AI & Drone Technology Expert - Autonomous Systems Speaker

Tara’s husband, John “Zagi” Jones—FAA Part 107 Licensed Drone Pilot, AI Robotics Education Leader & Autonomous Systems Speaker—has dedicated 15+ years to mastering drones & teaching autonomous systems. Pittsburgh Technology Council member speaking at CMU, sponsored by the World Affairs Institute & Rotary Districts 7305, 7280, & 6650 Feb. 25th on AI workforce development.

John specializes in aerial photography/videography for weddings, corporate events, sports, celebrations, real estate, construction, golf courses, utilities, agriculture.

Students work hands-on with autonomous systems, reinforcement learning, navigation challenges—graduate-level technical work.

Keynote topics: AI workforce development, STEM education innovation, autonomous systems integration

Contact: DronePhotographyPgh@yahoo.com

Pittsburgh drone technology, Pittsburgh AI expert, autonomous systems Pittsburgh, robotics education, STEM workforce, drone pilot Pittsburgh, event drone photography

John is set to speak at ‘The AI Effect’ Conference 2026 at Carnegie Mellon on February 25th, hosted by the World Affairs Institute.

As a panelist for “Global Careers: “AI and the Future of Work,” he’ll be unpacking the power of autonomous aerial systems — AI-driven drones — and their role in reshaping STEM education, workforce agility, and Pittsburgh’s emergence and permanence as a global hub for autonomous innovation.

John’s presentation, ‘From Classroom to Skies,’ will explore how these technologies are not just tools but catalysts—unlocking potential in unexpected places, accelerating scalable learning models, enabling real-time operational deployment and forging strategic advantages in high-stakes sectors like manufacturing, infrastructure and national security.

This is about harnessing frontier tech to build resilient, future-proof ecosystems that redefine industry standards.

Details:
www.worldpittsburgh.org/institute

Scholarships available:
www.tinyurl.com/WAI55-Scholarship

Bold Journey magazine has featured my journey as a Part 107 certified Drone Pilot!

In the article, I delve into my passion for drones, a fascination that’s been soaring for over a decade. My YouTube channel chronicles this adventure, capturing the breathtaking views and technical challenges that come with flying these incredible machines.

The article provides a detailed look at how I’ve honed my skills, embraced cutting-edge technology and explored the world from angles most people never get to see.

Beyond my personal journey, I’ve been dedicated to turning this passion into something impactful, particularly by inspiring and educating underprivileged children in Pittsburgh through M-Powerhouse. It’s been a rewarding experience to use my platform to uplift and empower the next generation of tech enthusiasts.

I invite you all to read about my story, where passion meets purpose, and hopefully, it resonates with you.

Check out the full article:
www.boldjourney.com/meet-john-zagi-jones

The FAA Part 107 license is a certification required for commercial drone pilots in the United States. It grants individuals the legal authority to operate drones for commercial purposes, subject to certain regulations and restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration.

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