As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and public services, state governments are navigating how to both harness the power of AI and ensure these powerful tools are used responsibly. To advance this work, Heartland Forward and the Heartland Whole Health Institute recently convened Arkansas state leaders and policymakers in Bentonville for a roundtable discussion on AI. The gathering was designed to bring together state government leaders, foster collaboration and set joint priorities for how Arkansas can implement safe and smart AI policy across education, health care and the workforce and create efficiencies within state government.

Why These Conversations Matter

The gathering brought together key Arkansas leaders, including:

• First Gentleman Bryan Sanders
• Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva
• Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald 
• Secretary of Shared Administrative Services Leslie Fisken
• Secretary of Health Renee Mallory
• Secretary of Human Services Janet Mann
• Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Shea Lewis
• Secretary of Military Brigadier General Olen (Chad) Bridges
• Chief Financial Officer Jim Hudson
• Chief Data Officer Robert McGough
• Arkansas Economic Development Commission Program Director Jennifer Fowler
• Arkansas AI task force leaders

The conversations among these leaders revealed a central point of emphasis—AI must be implemented with care, transparency and a clear focus on serving Arkansans while public-private-partnerships offer opportunities for thoughtful, effective and forward thinking innovation. 

“Sarah and I are committed to implementing AI where it makes sense, especially to improve state government and return savings to taxpayers, prepare our students for high demand jobs, improve health, and establish common sense safeguards to protect kids. With strong collaboration between state government, the private sector, Heartland Forward and Heartland Whole Health Institute, we have a great opportunity to lead on AI and improve the lives of Arkansans,” said Arkansas First Gentleman Bryan Sanders.

Throughout the day, the group discussed lessons from other states leading the way in AI governance. Utah and Pennsylvania—which were both ranked among the most advanced states in the Government AI Landscape Assessment—served as strong models for AI strategy. Utah was the first state to launch a dedicated AI policy office (OAIP) in May 2024, and Pennsylvania partnered with InnovateUS to train state employees on generative AI and securely integrated ChatGPT Enterprise into government operations. Arkansas leaders expressed interest in using policies like these as benchmarks while the state works to establish its own responsible, innovative AI strategy.

AI in Health Care—Preparing for the Future

Health care emerged as one of the most promising—and urgent—areas for AI adoption discussed at the roundtable. The Heartland Whole Health Institute (the Institute), founded by Alice Walton, is dedicated to reimagining how care is delivered across Arkansas and the heartland. The Institute’s mission centers on caring for the whole person, bringing together medical, behavioral and community-based approaches to improve health outcomes and address root causes of illness—not just symptoms.

At its core, the Institute seeks to transform the health system by improving quality, reducing costs and expanding access to care. By leveraging technology, including emerging AI tools, it aims to create more connected, responsive systems that put patients at the center of medical practice while supporting providers and communities.

“Artificial intelligence will transform health outcomes across Arkansas, from improving patient care to strengthening community health systems,” said Claude Pirtle, MD, president of Heartland Whole Health Institute. “By engaging top leaders from across the state, we will help ensure that our state’s AI adoption is aligned with the health and well-being of all Arkansans.”

Beyond the health care industry, roundtable discussions emphasized the urgent need to prepare for AI adoption in education, across the workforce and within the state government. To fully capture the benefits of these tools, schools, training programs and state agencies must learn the skills and develop the infrastructure needed to adapt. This cross-sector preparation is vital for building readiness and equipping communities to thrive in an AI-driven future.

The Power of Convening

The roundtable closed with a clear message: Arkansas’s future with AI will depend on safety, transparency and strong coordination across state government. Leaders agreed that the key to success is not just adopting new technology, but doing so in a way that builds trust, promotes safe use and serves the needs of Arkansans.

“We made real progress in moving forward AI strategies that will safely drive innovation and deliver real benefits for Arkansans. We committed to taking concrete actions to ensure we harness the power of AI for economic transformation—to grow our workforce, support teachers and patients and help businesses thrive,” said Angie Cooper, President of Heartland Forward.

This event reflects a larger regional movement to bring the right people to the table to shape the future of AI. Across the heartland, leaders are gathering for conversations like the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Exploring AI Summit, the Waco Chamber State of AI Luncheon in Texas and the Kentucky Chamber AI Summit. Such forums create space for shared learning and alignment, helping states build momentum and move forward with a unified approach to AI innovation.

By convening a myriad of voices and building strong partnerships, Arkansas and heartland states and communities are demonstrating what’s possible when collaboration drives innovation. With continued engagement and a commitment to shared priorities, the heartland is positioned to harness AI to strengthen public services and spur economic growth.

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If you are interested in further engaging with Heartland Forward’s work to Harness the Power of AI in the Heartland, please subscribe to our Connecting the Heartland newsletter or reach out to Mary Larkin Furlow at mfurlow@heartlandforward.org.