Labor Day was not just a break from
\nwork. For me, it was a time to reflect on the values that brought my family to
\nthis country \u2014 hard work, opportunity and community \u2014 and how we must pass
\nthose values forward through innovation and inclusion.<\/p>\n
Wake County stands at a crossroads.
\nArtificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword. It is a tool being used in
\nlocal government, healthcare, education and small business. What we do now will
\nshape whether this technology strengthens our communities \u2014 or leaves people
\nbehind.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tMorrisville: A model for smart innovation<\/p>\n
Right here in Wake County, Morrisville<\/a> We\u2019re now deploying generative AI to This kind of smart city innovation \t\t\t\t\t\tThe AI moment is already here in Across the state, AI is moving from \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And while large companies are As former Cisco CEO John Chambers<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\tLeadership matters: Meet the people moving We\u2019re fortunate to have leaders Mark Hinkle Mark is building bridges between AI Tom Tom\u2019s work through RIoT<\/a> is critical. He\u2019s scaling the John John\u2019s regional vision is essential. \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f These leaders remind us: the path \t\t\t\t\t\tTraining is the foundation of the AI Technology moves fast. Workforce \t\t\t\t\t\t1. Rapid Upskilling and Reskilling<\/p>\n Wake Tech<\/a> and NC State<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t2. Align Local Action with Statewide
\nis showing what\u2019s possible. Our town has been nationally recognized with the CIO 100<\/a> and IDC Smart Cities North America Awards<\/a>
\nfor smart city leadership. Earlier this year, an international delegation
\nvisited our Town Hall to learn from CIO Rick Ralph\u2019s team and our
\napproach to innovation<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nhelp staff search documents more efficiently. And we are planning to introduce Morris the Cricket, a generative AI
\nchatbot that improves customer service by answering resident questions in
\nreal-time.<\/p>\n
\nshould not remain isolated. We need a framework to share best practices across municipalities and scale what\u2019s
\nworking. Wake County is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in regional AI
\nimplementation\u00a0 \u2014 and now is the time.<\/p>\n
\nNorth Carolina<\/p>\n
\npromise to practice:<\/p>\n
\nNC State University<\/a> is embedding AI into educational
\ncurricula.<\/p>\n
\nAtrium Health<\/a> is using AI to improve early cancer
\ndetection.<\/p>\n
\nSchool systems<\/a> are piloting AI to enhance student
\nsafety.<\/p>\n
\nleading the way, only 5.1% of small businesses currently use AI<\/a>.
\nThat figure is expected to rise. But AI isn\u2019t wiping out jobs. It\u2019s
\ntransforming them \u2014and we need to prepare workers to take on new roles that
\nrequire digital fluency and AI literacy.<\/p>\n
\nput it: AI success will depend on
\ncommon-sense strategies and strong leadership.<\/p>\n
\nus forward<\/p>\n
\nright here in the Triangle who are building the infrastructure\u2014physical,
\ndigital, and educational\u2014for an inclusive AI economy.<\/p>\n
\n\u2013 Founder, Peripety Labs<\/p>\n
\nentrepreneurs, enterprise users, and educators. His focus on open source innovation and practical workforce development ensures
\nthat AI adoption benefits everyone\u2014not just those in tech hubs. His Artificially Intelligent Enterprise<\/a>
\nnewsletter and work through the All Things AI<\/a> community have helped thousands of
\nprofessionals navigate the AI transition.<\/p>\n
\nSnyder<\/a> \u2013 Executive Director, RIoT<\/p>\n
\ninnovation economy beyond Raleigh and Durham by accelerating startups and
\nadvocating for rural inclusion. RIoT\u2019s incubators and workforce training
\nprograms are helping new businesses grow and helping workers prepare for AI,
\nIoT, and automation-driven jobs.<\/p>\n
\nHolden<\/a> \u2013 Smart Cities Manager, City of
\nRaleigh<\/p>\n
\nThrough efforts like the Connected
\nTriangle Summit (next on Oct. 14),
\nhe\u2019s helping municipalities work together, not in silos. Raleigh\u2019s smart city
\nstrategies\u2014and Holden\u2019s focus on university, government, and private sector
\ncollaboration\u2014serve as a blueprint for how AI can be scaled regionally.<\/p>\n
\nLearn more about the Connected Triangle Summit<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nforward isn\u2019t top-down or bottom-up. It\u2019s collaborative.<\/p>\n
\neconomy<\/p>\n
\ntraining needs to move faster. A few priorities:<\/p>\n
\nmust continue expanding programs that meet workers where they are. That means stackable credentials, bootcamps, and micro-certifications that quickly turn skills into jobs.<\/p>\n
\nStrategy<\/p>\n