10 Final Take-Aways from AI Week
The Midwest is often considered fly-over country, but this week the region shaped and advanced one of the most important and needed AI conversations in the country. It was largely “bottoms up” and it’s worthy of reflection and continued conversation — with urgency. For perspective, in about five weeks, AI Week was conceived, organized, and delivered — with nearly 1000 participants, 110 speakers, and attendees from over 25 states.
This wasn’t “get rich” hype; this was thoughtful, deep conversation. I knew something powerful was going on when my good friend Paul Baier , a startup founder and key organizer of the MIT/Harvard AI community in Boston, attended and later raved about the event on social media. My head is still buzzing, but here are ten reflections on what stood out, what mattered, and what's next in the evolving conversation around AI.
1. Leadership in the Moment of NOW
Cincy AI Week was a remarkable event that put a huge premium on proactive leadership to get in front of complicated issues, tensions, and potential societal fractures, as well as economic opportunity spaces. It wasn’t about the bells and whistles of technology, or a list of proven prompts, it was about how we lead, decide, navigate, and inspire others. This urgency mirrors my experience at the 宝洁 Fast Summit 25 years ago, where shaping a positive future of online advertising was paramount.
2. Trust at the Core
Trust and #ResponsibleAI was at the heart of many discussions. Without trust, tech adoption is futile, and there are hard tensions to manage like efficiency versus ethics. This focus on trust aligns with the broader need for transparency and ethical considerations in AI deployment. Trust is the foundation for AI's acceptance and success, differentiating our approach from the sometimes less cautious Silicon Valley. This doesn’t mean we’re moving slow, but smarter. My own startup BrandRank.AI contributed to this by partnering with the Better Business Bureau of Cincinnati on dozens of “trust talk” conversations, and we’re deeply grateful to the participants. I was also thrilled national leaders of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus like Christopher Morse and Christy Page deemed the trust substance here worthy of a trip.
3. Proactive Consideration of Risks
A significant takeaway was the proactive approach to considering what could go wrong with AI. There wasn't fear-mongering; instead, there was thoughtful deliberation about choices and potential pitfalls. Discussions delved deep into the requisites for upskilling, job displacement, and the broader societal impacts. Addressing these risks head-on is crucial for mitigating potential negative consequences.
4. Equity and Inclusivity
Equity in AI was a recurring theme. The Midwest and urban areas can play a pivotal role in ensuring that AI benefits are distributed fairly and further open up these important questions. The conversation highlighted the disproportionate impact on certain job segments and the importance of inclusive upskilling initiatives. University of Cincinnati ’s Josette Riep is playing a particularly important role in this area.
5. Entrepreneurial Opportunities
AI presents a golden age for entrepreneurship, even envisioning a future where the first unicorn could be a solo venture. Over 25 startups participated in the pitch exercise, and there are probably many more in this area. Having just launched a startup, I've been amazed at how much we can accomplish using AI before spending or raising money. This perspective, championed by speakers like @Maddy Bell of Scheduler AI , highlights the transformative potential of AI for individual entrepreneurs. Last year, I experienced this with training for Nitro boot camp where we trained 25 minority small businesses.
6. Female Leadership in the Local AI Movement
The strong presence of female leaders in the local AI movement is notable. Event organizer Summer Crenshaw , Startup founders like Maddie Bell ????? and Katie Trauth Taylor, PhD , movement catalysts like Helen Todd (Human) , Kendra Ramirez , Elisha Herrmann , and Josette Riep are driving the conversation...and much of the substance. This is a story the Cincinnati Business Courier , Cincy Inno The Cincinnati Enquirer , and perhaps even the 纽约时报 and San Francisco Chronicle should be writing. They are not billionaires (maybe not yet) but they are the core of what happening. Is this a bigger, untapped competitive advantage?
7. Keeping Humans in the Loop
The importance of keeping humans in the loop as we develop AI cannot be overstated. Many sessions emphasized the need for human oversight to ensure AI systems align with ethical standards and societal values. This approach helps mitigate risks, addresses biases, and ensures that AI serves humanity's best interests. It reinforces the idea that AI should augment human capabilities, not replace them. We can't discuss this enough.
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8. Collaboration and Community Building
The sense of collaboration was profound. I’ve NEVER seen anything like this, as I keep telling organizer Summer Crenshaw , and perhaps it’s the grassroots, almost activist nature of it. The event showcased the power of collective problem-solving, with local and external speakers bringing valuable insights. The involvement of educational institutions and community leaders added depth and richness to the discussions. Building partnerships between enterprises, startups, and academic institutions fosters innovation and shares best practices, as highlighted in the broader Ohio AI conversations.
9. Practical AI Applications
Many sessions focused on practical applications of AI in various industries, including food systems (where AI meets #zero waste), regulated industries, cybersecurity, and marketing. These discussions underscore AI's versatility and real-world impact. Highlighting these applications connects the overarching themes like responsible AI and workforce development to tangible outcomes. This is important because we all need proof points that these sometimes hyped tools can aid in everyday productivity. I’ve led dozens of AI workshops for non-profits, and this is always central.
10. Addressing AI Adoption at Scale
A significant challenge identified was moving from proofs of concept (POCs) to production-scale AI implementations. This requires robust frameworks and technology accelerators. Ohio’s potential to lead in responsible AI practices and trust-building was also emphasized, reflecting the broader statewide conversation on leveraging AI for competitive advantage and economic development. Cincy AI Week nicely dovetailed with a critically important statewide huddles in Columbus and CIncinnati (led by Chris Berry or OhioX ) a few weeks earlier.
Opportunities
While the event was successful, I wished to see more representatives from the established business community and media. This is THE NEW reality, and for corporations in particular, this is critical “outside-in” thinking. Same for politicians and elected officials. They can also learn by seeing how quickly this came together.
However, the activist grassroots dimension added a unique and powerful dynamic. The organizers' ability to "think and act like a startup" was impressive, pulling this together in about five weeks. This adaptability reminded me of the quote, "They knew where they were going, but they were very flexible on how to get there."
The Final Word
AI Week was a testament to the power of curiosity, collaboration, and proactive engagement. It highlighted the need for thoughtful consideration of AI's impacts and the importance of building a future where technology and humanity thrive together. As we look ahead, let's keep these reflections in mind, driving forward with a commitment to responsible and inclusive AI development. High fives, once again, to the amazing organizers: Summer Crenshaw Carl Fraik Zachary Huhn Jon Salisbury
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Gameful Strategist ? Professor ??
5 个月Each of these 10 could be their own conference. You are spot on, though, Pete. The core difference between the AI revolution and previous ones (e.g., WWW), is the critical role of authenticity and trust. This is where the midwest has the right to win. This conference demonstrated it. I was talking with some folks that came from another unnamed major city and they noted that that city's AI Week didn't hold a candle to ours. Naysayers can fly over us, but we will be underneath their AI journey all the way—rock on.
CEO @ Psympl & Relequint | Brand, Psychographics, GTM, RevOps, Marketing Automation
5 个月Congratulations on a great event! Love the energy and general enthusiasm. Fun space with endless possibilities for new forms of engagement.
Entrepreneur | Business & Product Strategist | People Connector | AI Consultant | Molly's Cupcakes ?? | Collaborative Partner for CIOs, CDOs & Tech Leaders
5 个月Good seeing you my man. My biggest takeaway relates to the genuine curiosity and enthusiasm attendees had for engaging themselves in the community. It's not about AI. AI was a catalyst. What it was really about was that people attended with a thirst for learning, growing and seeking ways to collaborate with each other.
Growth Operations @ Traba
5 个月Great recap, excited to have been a part of such a great event!
CEO @ Nexigen - Ultra Curious, Humble - Cyber Security, Cloud, Smart City, AI, Quantum Physics, Psychology, Leadership
5 个月Zachary Huhn