Indiana has launched IN AI, a statewide initiative designed to help employers find practical ways to use Artificial Intelligence in their operations. Led by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership in cooperation with Gov. Mike Braun’s administration, the effort is aimed at connecting both small businesses and large corporations with technical advice, real-world use cases, workshops and peer support. Braun framed the initiative as a human-centered approach to a technology that many employers still view with uncertainty.
Commerce Secretary David Adams said the initiative aims to reach 1 million Hoosiers and emphasized that Artificial Intelligence is about equipping people, not replacing them. The site offers employers examples of practical Artificial Intelligence use cases, technical support and advice, as well as access to workshops and peer support groups. The CICP, which is executing the initiative, is planning a series of workshops, virtual demonstrations and direct outreach via regional partners and industry networks to assist Hoosier employers in the initial rollout of the project. Braun said he wants employers to use Artificial Intelligence to boost productivity, wages and overall job growth, with the broader goal of making Indiana the most ready state in the country for the technology. He did not commit state funding toward the initiative, saying any funding would depend on state cashflow and the economy.
Braun pointed to research suggesting workers can save time on routine tasks by integrating Artificial Intelligence into their workflow, allowing them to focus on higher-value work. He also cited a U.S. Chamber of Commerce study that found Artificial Intelligence adoption can help small businesses compete with larger corporations. At the same time, the rollout comes with warnings from researchers at the University of California-Berkley, who found that Artificial Intelligence can intensify work by expanding job scope and pressuring employees to work through breaks if adopted without care.
Indiana business leaders are already highlighting concrete examples of use. Chad Harter, chief information officer of the Jasper Group, said the company uses Artificial Intelligence to scan thousands of engineering images and documents, saving five months of manual work. Hyndman Industrial Products in Fort Wayne has adopted Artificial Intelligence for market research, business intelligence and inventory management. Owner Joe Hyndman said the results have included faster decisions, better throughput and more confidence to continue hiring and investing in the company’s Indiana operations.