BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University’s Indiana Memorial Union will host the sixth iteration of the IN AI Roadshow on Thursday, October 29, bringing together area businesses, educators, and students to explore practical applications of artificial intelligence tools.
The event, running from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., arrives as newly released statewide findings reveal that 75% of participating Indiana companies are moving past initial experimentation to pilot, scale, or fully integrate AI technology into their day-to-day operations.
Demystifying AI for Area Employers and Students
Organized through a collaboration including the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), StartedUP Foundation, Amplify Bloomington, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Indiana University, and Cook Medical, the half-day workshop is designed to remove the mystery and anxiety surrounding emerging technologies.
The program is open to organizations of all types and sizes, as well as students. A dedicated focus on AI’s impact on K–12 education has been added to highlight implications for classroom teachers and students in partnership with the StartedUP Foundation.
Featured local speakers scheduled to address attendees include:
- John Fernandez, CEO of Amplify Bloomington
- Alison Grand, Chief Administrative Officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation
- Rahul Shrivastav, Indiana University Vice President for Student Success
- Keith Thadikaran, Director of AI and Machine Learning at Cook Medical
New Index Tracks Statewide AI Readiness
The roadshow coincides with the rollout of the early data from the IN AI Readiness Index, a statewide dashboard launched to measure business adoption, workforce readiness, and economic opportunities across Indiana.
The initial dataset, compiled from more than 900 data points collected from nearly 700 Indiana companies through roadshows, partner events, and online assessments, indicates that Hoosier businesses are increasingly transitioning from AI testing to implementation. Data shows that adoption is moving fastest in industries with higher concentrations of science and knowledge workers.
“This gives us something we haven’t had before: a growing view of how Indiana companies are actually approaching AI,” said Nathan Ringham, Vice President of Research at CICP. “The goal is to measure adoption and understand where businesses are making progress, where they are getting stuck, and how Indiana can better connect employers and workers with the resources they need to capture the opportunity.”
The IN AI initiative was launched earlier this year by Governor Mike Braun alongside Indiana Corporate Partnership CEOs to provide a supportive environment for tech resource access and skill-building.
“For Hoosiers to succeed, Indiana businesses need to thrive,” Gov. Braun said. “It’s encouraging to see Indiana employers are already adopting AI tools to improve business operations and efficiency. With programs like IN AI, we are working hand-in-hand with employers to future-proof their businesses and build long-term economic, job, and wage growth statewide.”
Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich added that evaluating AI readiness provides essential insight into the state’s shifting economic landscape: “AI readiness is an important indicator – it’s not just a measure of technology, but whether Indiana employers are prepared to adapt and succeed as the nature of work changes.”
Getting Involved
Indiana business leaders, educators, and organizations interested in taking part in the statewide effort can complete the three-minute IN AI Readiness Assessment online at cicpindiana.com/ai-index.
