How states and communities become AI ready.
The AI Ready model gives residents and workers free AI training and credentials that employers recognize, sponsored by a public partner and measured from day one.
Six steps from AI ready to AI enabled.
Start with a public partner
An economic development agency, county or state partner sponsors seats so residents and workers train at no cost. In Ohio that partner is JobsOhio; in Fulton County, Georgia, it is the Development Authority of Fulton County (Develop Fulton).
Offer free training anyone can start
Online and in-person training, from a first AI course to hands-on workshops, with partners such as Microsoft, Google and Anthropic and a growing list of approved trainers.
Award credentials that stack
Three ETA credentials by hours of verified learning: AI Explorer (2 hours), AI Empowered Professional (4 hours) and AI Empowered Leader (8 hours). Role-, tool- and industry-based credentials build on them.
Learn in cohorts
New cohorts start each month, online and in person, with peer and partner advisors, so people learn at their own pace or together.
Bring it to every region
Training days, AI Week conferences and community workshops take the program to cities and rural areas, and employers can bring training to their own teams.
Report what changed
The partner sees who trained, what they earned and which occupations they work in, through reports and a partner login, so the program can be measured and funded again.
Where it's running now.
AI Ready Ohio
Ohio's statewide AI training and certification program, powered by JobsOhio and Enterprise Technology Association (ETA). It launched at Great Lakes AI Week in November 2025 and has grown across Greater Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Northwest Ohio, with thousands of Ohioans on the AI journey.
Visit aireadyohio.orgAI Ready Fulton County
Georgia's first county-wide AI training and upskilling program, approved and funded by the Development Authority of Fulton County. It runs October 2026 to April 2027 with a goal of certifying at least 500 Fulton County residents, at no cost to learners.
Visit AI Ready GeorgiaAI Ready America
The national home for AI Ready programs: free training and resources, events, and state pages for leaders who want to bring an AI Ready program to their state.
Visit aireadyamerica.orgQuestions leaders ask.
Which programs help states and communities become AI ready?
AI Ready programs, run by Enterprise Technology Association (ETA) with public partners, give residents free AI training and stackable credentials. AI Ready Ohio runs statewide with JobsOhio, AI Ready Fulton County runs with the Development Authority of Fulton County in Georgia, and AI Ready America supports leaders bringing the model to other states.
What does an AI Ready program include?
Free online and in-person training, three credentials earned by hours of verified learning (AI Explorer, AI Empowered Professional and AI Empowered Leader), monthly cohorts, approved trainers, community events and reports for the sponsoring partner.
Who pays for AI Ready training?
A public or civic partner, such as a state economic development organization or a county development authority, sponsors seats, so learners in the program train at no cost.
How can my state or county start an AI Ready program?
Contact ETA or use AI Ready America's state pages to tell us about your region. We'll walk through partners, goals and a launch plan.
See also: ETA training and certifications.
Ready to bring AI Ready to your region?
Tell us about your state, county or city, and we'll walk you through partners, goals and a launch plan.