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OPINION THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2025 • PAGE 5 We need saving from our national Health and Human Services secretary If only a truth serum was a real thing, not just a fun concept in sci- fi movies and books. If a vaccine that could force truth-telling on the recipient existed, I know one of the first people who could use a heaping dose: U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Although Kennedy has plenty of experience rolling up his sleeve to shoot heroin as a self-proclaimed addict, he'd most likely put up a fight if an injection of truth serum was forced upon him. He'd also likely squirm and worm away from any shot, no matter the benefits to himself and others, as he is a well- known vaccine skeptic. Kennedy, of course, has the right to refuse whatever vaccine he wishes to avoid; but perhaps that CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM CHRISTINE FONVILLE shot of hypothetical truth serum would remind him that he promised during his Senate confirmation hearing that he would "do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking" vaccines. That promise appears to have been a lie; in May, Kennedy announced major changes to who is eligible to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccines, affecting everything from lack of insurance coverage of the shot to unavailability for those trying to be proactive about their own health and wellness. The confusion surrounding 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine mandates is reflected when trying to do something that should be a simple task, such as setting up an appointment to get the shot on a pharmacy website like Walgreens, com. Since it has been available, I've scheduled my annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines to be administered at the same time, however Walgreen's website will no longer allow that level of pre-planning because I do not fit Kennedy's criteria of "patients under 65 with certain health conditions and/or risk factors." On the very same Walgreen's website, in an FAQ section with one question listed as "Do I need to get another COVID-19 vaccine if I've been vaccinated in the past," the response is "Yes. Immunity declines over time, and the virus keeps changing. Each season's vaccine is designed to target the most common variant circulating currently and help protect against serious illness and other complications, such as developing long COVID-19." For an administration that loves to tout about "freedoms," I'm finding it harder and harder to get my hands on fact-based, science- forward healthcare. If a vaccine is developed to prevent catching whatever it is that's wrong with Kennedy's mind and morals, I'll be the first in line to take it. Sharing the wealth of Al As a loyal Georgia Bulldog, it stings a bit to have to admit how much the University of Georgia's (UGA) rival, the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech), is leading and contributing to the advancement of practical uses for artificial intelligence (Al), in a wide array of settings and industries. The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute recently organized and partnered with dozens of middle and high schools, technical and trade schools as well as other colleges and universities and numerous private sector partners to celebrate Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (AIM) Week across the state. The week, and three years' worth of programs and pilot initiatives, were made possible by a $65 million federal grant, intended to widen adoption of Al across the manufacturing sector. Judging by the stops along the way of this statewide tour, they have been achieving some pretty solid results. From Carrollton to Albany, from Athens and Augusta to Macon and Savannah and LaGrange and Fort Valley, Georgia AIM made strides at reaching all corners and 159 counties in Georgia. At Southwire in Carrollton, 100 middle school students are learning how to write code to write and create music with Al. At Albany Technical College, a Georgia AIM Week stop highlighted blockchain data applications and innovation in hydroponics and aquaponics, shaping the future of agri-business. As this tour coincided with the "ONE MAN’S OPINION" BILL - CRANE BILL.CSICRANE@GMAIL.COM announcement of nearly a half- billion in additional post-Hurricane Helene devastation federal disaster recovery funding, many farmers across southwest Georgia are still rebuilding from that natural disaster a year ago. Albany is the pecan capitol of the world, and thousands of pecan trees were uprooted and destroyed. But even there, Georgia AIM found ways to be of assistance. Alex Willson, the president and CEO of one of the nation's largest pecan farms, Sunnyland Farms, found the fast-rising costs of free shipping were eating a bigger and bigger bite out of company profits each year. Reaching seven-figures, and using older technology, the third- generation family business was a bit unclear on who their customers were, what they typically ordered and their costs of shipping to those customers, which remain much more profitable than the wholesale and market resale of pecans. "We really didn't have a detailed view of exactly where boxes were going, and how much it was costing us. We wanted a more granular view of that, and it's challenging for a business our size because we have people that are stretched fairly thin," said Willson. Through Georgia AIM's Rural Supply Chain Initiative, a GA Tech undergrad, Arpita Gupte, came to work at Sunnyland for three months, as a Georgia AIM funded intern. During that time, she organized all of the company's shipping data using ChatGPT. This allowed for analysis of spreadsheets of shipping data, uncovering insights about package sizes, average box shipping weights, shipping zones and more. This armed Sunnyland with data to compare rates and go to the negotiating table with all the major shippers with confidence. The result was a reduction of shipping costs by several hundred thousand dollars, and faster shipping for Sunnyland customers. "We know that we have a challenge today with workforce and workforce development, so this is an opportunity to change that through partnerships and coalitions, as well as investments from the private sector," said Donna Ennis, co-director of Georgia AIM and an associate vice president for Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute. Georgia Tech also has found that building such a broad array of partnerships, as well as visibility for the college has helped to secure even more corporate support. The university's School of Mechanical Engineering recently received a donor estate gift of $100 million, and the Hyundai Motor Group is paying Tech $55 million over several years for the naming rights to Bobby Dodd Stadium, as well as funding an undisclosed amount into roughly a dozen other research projects at GA Tech in areas such as new electric- vehicle technologies and the use of hydrogen as clean fuel. By sharing its wealth of Al knowledge, partners and initiatives, GA Tech is planting seeds, which should grow rapidly in Georgia's fertile farm soil, or perhaps via hydroponics, peach farmers will have an opportunity to learn more about both at Fort Valley State and tour both the Georgia AIM traveling lab and the Fort Valley State Fab Lab. It seems that much like a pollinating honeybee, the technology shared by those Yellowjackets can pack quite a punch. By sharing its wealth of Al knowledge, partners and initiatives, GA Tech is planting seeds, which should grow rapidly in Georgia's fertile farm soil, or perhaps via hy droponics, peach farmers will have an opportunity to learn more about both at Fort Valley State and tour both the Georgia AIM traveling lab and the Fort Valley State Fab Lab. It seems that much like a polli nating honeybee, the technology shared by those Yellowjackets can pack quite a punch. Bill Crane is political analyst and commentator in metro Atlanta, as well as a columnist for The Champion, DeKalb Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can contact him or comment on a column at bill.csicrane@ gmail.com.
