• Emerging technology like AI and big data is becoming integral to every economic sector in Tennessee.
• A digital readiness gap exists, particularly in rural areas with limited broadband access and lower educational attainment.
• The future of work requires digital skills for all workers, not just those in traditional tech jobs.
• The University of Tennessee aims to improve tech literacy and entrepreneurship through its statewide extension offices.

Emerging technology is no longer “the tech sector.” Computing, automation, big data and artificial intelligence are becoming the invisible layer in every sector, from manufacturing and logistics to health care, agriculture, and government. A revolution with unstoppable momentum is happening. Is every Tennessean positioned to benefit when it does?

With wages rising from $63,752 to $66,580 in 2024, November 2025 unemployment at 3.6% and nonfarm employment up 34,800 jobs over the year, Tennessee’s economy looks strong. Yet a healthy economy can hide a readiness gap, especially in rural communities, where opportunity can be one broadband outage away.

Workers will need to master digital skills and tools  

Where will the work be? Tennessee’s largest sectors will still look familiar, but the work inside them is changing. Computing occupations are projected to grow about 2.5% annually through 2032, and AI, data, cybersecurity, and automation will reshape tasks across the rest. That’s why the priority isn’t only producing more software developers; it’s ensuring every Tennessean can work, learn, and build with digital tools. The future of work is digital even when the job title is not.

That reality collides with two barriers: education and connectivity. Tennessee’s share of adults with some college or higher (58.22%) trails the national level (about 64.6%). And while only 2% of urban residents lack broadband coverage at minimum standards, 34% of rural residents do.

Rural connectivity gap hampers entrepreneurship

And because about 88.5% of Tennessee employers are small businesses (one to 19 employees), Tennessee is already a state of entrepreneurs. The next wave of technology puts powerful tools in everyone’s hands. It will reward the curious, people who dream big, tinker, and turn ideas into something real. But when rural communities lack reliable broadband and tech literacy, the digital gap becomes an entrepreneurship gap that can erase this advantage.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Two Middle Tennessee high school students will represent their state on a national stage after being selected for the 2026 Girls Flag Football Showcase at this year’s Pro Bowl.

Ravenwood’s Peyton Barbarick and Creek Wood’s Avery Bratton are among just 32 players chosen for the showcase, with selections made by the Tennessee Titans. Both girls will play on the AFC roster.

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association officially sanctioned girls’ flag football less than a year ago, making the students’ selection particularly notable.

“No, I literally went into it with a mindset of nobody knows really what this sport is, it’s going to be so fun. I’ll just play and do whatever,” Barbarick said.

Bratton said the selection exceeded her expectations for the sport.

“It’s something I didn’t see coming. I thought it was just going to be something that was just fun for everybody to do, but to the point that it’s coming to the Olympics, its awesome,” she said.

For Barbarick, the invitation represents new opportunities.

“I think for me it’s really exciting, and it just means a lot that they thought to reach out to us and being invited to go to these things. I’ve never been to California, so its really exciting to have new opportunities to meet new people,” she said.

Neither player has competed in flag football for longer than three years. Despite the short timeframe, Bratton has received a college offer to continue playing the sport.

“It feels good to have people recognize me, to know I’m good at what I do, I put a lot of effort forward,” Bratton said.

Barbarick helped lead her team to a state championship title.

“It gave our team a lot of confidence. Tt was so exciting because we worked so hard to get to that point,” she said.

The sport has seen a 60% increase in participation in just one year, thanks to spotlight from the NFL.

Both players said they look forward to the national experience and meeting other athletes at the showcase.

Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.

STORRS, Conn. – The No. 1 UConn women’s basketball team (22-0) hosts No. 15 Tennessee (14-4) in PeoplesBank Arena Sunday at noon. The game will air on FOX and the UConn Sports Network from Learfield (FOX Sports 97.9).

Sunday’s game is a WHITE OUT. All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear white. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt, courtesy of Aquaphor.

Sophomore Allie Ziebell tied a program record with 10 made three pointers and scored 34 points in a 97-39 win over Xavier on Wednesday. Ziebell’s 34 points are the most by a UConn bench player in a game. She shot 11-15 and 10-14 from three-point range.

Sophomore Sarah Strong had 25 points on 10-14 shooting. Junior Ashlynn Shade stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and nine steals while sophomore Kayleigh Heckel had eight rebounds and eight assists. The Huskies had 48 points off turnovers vs. the Musketeers.

The Huskies lead the nation with 24.4 assists per game. UConn has dished out 20+ assists in its last 21 games. Junior KK Arnold ranks first nationally with a 4.75 assist-turnover ratio.

UConn is 17-10 all-time vs. Tennessee. The teams last faced off on Feb. 6, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn., an 80-76 win for the Lady Vols, which was the Huskies’ last loss. Twenty-six of the teams’ 27 meetings have been with both teams ranked in the AP poll. Twenty-three games have been top-15 matchups.

Tennessee lost to Mississippi State, 77-62, on Thursday. This season, Talaysia Cooper leads the Lady Vols with 14.7 points per game. Four players are averaging double-digit points. Head coach Kim Caldwell is in her second season at Tennessee.