*CBTS was the presenting sponsor for Day One of Columbus AI Week where the areas of focus revolved around Responsible AI and AI Readiness.*

AI Week is where innovation and opportunity meet. The community-powered event has been called the ‘open-sourced, un-conference’ by organizers and attendees, alike. The inaugural Columbus AI Week, presented by Enterprise Technology Association and a coalition of community partners, welcomed local, regional, and national leaders in AI, technology, business, and policy.

The three-day event dug into the opportunities, threats, and use cases presented by AI and automation while shining a light on the builders and innovators driving the AI conversation forward in Columbus, OH - and beyond. Attendees were able to hear from speakers and panels on the main stages, and to get hands on with AI in breakout and workshop sessions.

Columbus AI Week by the Numbers

800 registered attendees
460 companies represented
140 speakers, presenters, and panelists
75 volunteers and host committee members
69 sessions and events
9.6/10 average session rating
4 stages and workshop rooms
3 days of interactive and engaging programming

Day One Themes

Responsible AI
AI Readiness
AI Governance

Day Two Themes

AI for Executive Leaders
AI for Teams and Organizations
Hands On With AI

Day Three Themes

AI Innovation
AI Research
AI Education

Key Takeaways

Day One: Responsible AI and AI Readiness

Building Ethical AI Frameworks: Columbus AI Week highlighted the growing demand for ethical AI frameworks that ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability. Local initiatives, like the Columbus AI Ethics Coalition, showcased efforts to create community-driven guidelines for responsible AI use.
AI Readiness in the Midwest: There is a clear push for businesses and government agencies in the Midwest to accelerate AI readiness. Columbus is emerging as a leader in preparing organizations to adopt AI responsibly, emphasizing the importance of workforce training and infrastructure development.
Regulatory Trends: The event underscored the importance of staying ahead of AI regulations. Participants discussed the potential impacts of state-level AI legislation and the need for proactive compliance strategies.

Day Two: AI for Executive Leaders, AI for Teams and Organizations

Leadership in the Age of AI: Executives discussed the critical role of leadership in driving AI adoption within their organizations. The focus was on fostering a culture of innovation and digital transformation, with Columbus executives leading conversations on practical AI strategies.
AI Implementation Playbook for Teams: The conference provided actionable insights for teams looking to implement AI solutions. A unique takeaway was the emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that AI projects are not siloed within IT departments but are integrated across business units.
Scaling AI in Organizations: Discussions centered on overcoming the common hurdles in scaling AI projects, such as data quality, talent gaps, and change management. Columbus-based case studies demonstrated successful strategies for scaling AI in mid-sized enterprises.

Day Three: AI Innovation, Education, and Research

AI Research Hubs in Ohio: Columbus was showcased as a burgeoning hub for AI research, with local universities and research institutions highlighting their contributions to cutting-edge AI technologies. Partnerships between academia and industry are driving innovation in healthcare, finance, and smart city applications.
AI Education Initiatives: The need for AI education at all levels was a key focus. Columbus schools and universities are developing curricula that prepare students for AI-driven careers, while local tech organizations are offering upskilling programs for the current workforce.
Startups and Innovation: The final day highlighted Columbus's growing AI startup ecosystem. Local startups presented innovative solutions ranging from AI-driven cybersecurity tools to AI applications in logistics and supply chain management. These startups are positioning Columbus as a national player in AI innovation.

These conference reflected Columbus’s unique position as an emerging leader in the AI space, while also addressing broader industry trends. The event served as a powerful platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, setting the stage for future advancements in AI across the region and beyond.

Presenting Sponsors:

CBTS
Nexigen
Big Kitty Labs
Hilliard City Lab

Highlights from the Week

AI Startup Showcase: 16 startups showcased their solutions and use cases in lightning-round style presentations. More than half of the participants are based in Columbus, OH.
Women in Tech and AI Breakfast: More than 100 leading women in business and technology gathered to share, learn, network, and grow together.
Innovation Showcase @ Hilliard City Lab: The City of Hilliard hosted VIPs at their City Lab to showcase the broad array of public-private-partnerships and innovative pilots they are rolling out to make their city a better place to live, work, and visit.
AI Woodstock Networking Social: The AI networking event sweeping the nation, founded by Paul Baier of GAI Insights, kicked-off Columbus AI Week in style as nearly 200 guests gathered to network and talk all things AI and tech.
Columbus AI Week Hackathon: Dozens of teams began learning, collaborating, and building. A post-conference gathering will be announced soon to allow groups to hone in on ideas and collaborate together.

AI Week in 2025 and Beyond

Following successful AI Week events in Cincinnati and Columbus, ETA is working with local and regional partners in twelve markets identified as ‘AI Innovation Hubs’ to bring the programming to communities across the country. 2025 and 2026 AI Week host cities include: