What IN AI is

IN AI is a statewide initiative to help Indiana employers put AI to work. Governor Mike Braun announced it at a press conference on April 28, 2026. It is led by the CEOs of the Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), working with the governor's administration. The stated goal is for Indiana to become the most AI-ready state in the nation, and state leaders have said they want to reach one million Hoosiers.

The program is for employers of all sizes, from small businesses to large companies. Its online hub lives at cicpindiana.com/ai. The shorter address, inaiready.com, sends you to the same place.

What it offers

The IN AI hub is organized around a few simple steps. As of October 2026, it includes:

  • AI use cases showing practical ways businesses are using AI
  • An AI readiness assessment and an AI playbook for planning adoption
  • Roadshows and workshops held in person around the state
  • Peer learning groups where business leaders work through similar challenges together
  • Project intake and a partner directory for when you are ready to put AI to work
  • Team training to build day-to-day AI skills

Google has also announced a series of workshops called Make AI Work for You for small and mid-sized Indiana businesses and startups, delivered with Ivy Tech Community College and TechPoint. The IN AI site lists those events too.

What it is not

IN AI is not a grant program. When it launched, the governor did not commit state funding to it and said funding would depend on the state's cash flow and the economy. Think of it as education, guidance, and connections, not money for your project.

Separately, the state's Community Collaboration Fund has awarded grants to organizations that run AI training for small businesses. Those funds go to the training providers, not directly to businesses. If you are counting on outside money, check with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for current programs.

How a small business can use it

The program is a useful starting point, especially if AI still feels abstract. Here is a practical way to use it:

  • Take the readiness assessment. It gives you a quick read on where you stand.
  • Go to a workshop or roadshow. Seeing real examples makes it much easier to spot opportunities in your own business.
  • Write down one problem. Pick the task that wastes the most time each week. One clear problem is worth more than a long wish list.
  • Find someone to build it. Workshops teach. They do not set up the tools, connect them to your systems, or keep them running. That is where an implementation partner comes in.

Where we fit

Walker Intelligence Group is a technology consulting and implementation firm based in Indianapolis, and AI is part of what we do. We think IN AI is a good thing for Indiana businesses, and we are glad to see the state take AI seriously for small and mid-sized employers.

Our job is the next step. Once you know where AI could help, we help you pick the right first project. Sometimes that is AI, and sometimes automation or a simpler fix does the job better. Either way, we build it, host it, and support it. If you have been to an IN AI event and want help turning what you learned into something your team uses every day, book a free 30-minute consult. You can also read what AI costs for a small business or how to choose an AI consultant.

Sources

Program details change. This article reflects what was published as of October 14, 2026. Check the IN AI hub for current events and offerings.