The heartland is well positioned to lead in this new AI-driven chapter, whether it be through educational initiatives, state policy or research, the heartland stands to benefit from harnessing the power of artificial intelligence at this key economic inflection point. Check out some of the incredible AI-related news and work taking place across the heartland.

Education:

• Many K-12 schools are using AI learning tools to help students grow and succeed:
  • Indiana is among the states testing Khan Academy’s AI-powered tutor, Khanmigo, which is being piloted in grades 3–12 in Hobart High School. 
  • Oklahoma schools will receive access to Amira—an AI reading assistant proven to improve literacy—for use in kindergarten through fifth grade.
  • Minnesota is embracing AI and some schools are integrating AI into their classrooms to teach students its applications and limitations, focusing on using AI as a “thought partner” rather than restricting its use.
• The heartland is expanding AI-focused opportunities in higher education, as 30 colleges and universities in heartland states now offer a B.A. in AI.

State Policy:

• 2024 State Legislation Retrospective: State legislators passed 238 laws regulating the tech industry in 2024, 107 of those measures were related to artificial intelligence. By comparison, 29 state bills relating to AI were passed between 2019 and 2023, accounting for an increase of 369% in one year alone. 
• As of January 2025, 14 of the 20 heartland states have appointed leaders to oversee AI at the state level, whether they be state Chief Innovation, Data or AI Officers. While this number is expected to grow in 2025, 70% of heartland states have already created state-level leadership positions to ensure the heartland is primed to harness the potential of AI. These 14 states include:
  • Arkansas
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Tennessee
• Looking forward: The 2025 legislative session is projected to be heavily focused on AI covering everything from data use, misuse and protections for sectors like health care and education.

Health Care: The potential of artificial intelligence is particularly promising in the health care sector. Many heartland states are already leading the way in the application of AI as it relates to medical care. 

• Arkansas: Baptist Health is one of the first hospitals in Arkansas to use AI in radiology. The AI can assist neuroradiologists by detecting early signs of neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, and comparing old and new MRIs for disease progression.
• Michigan: Researchers from the University of Michigan have developed an AI powered model that can determine during surgery if a cancerous brain tumor has been fully removed with clean margins.
• Missouri: New artificial intelligence technology at Kansas City University is giving medical students a leg up as they enter the workforce. KCU is the first in the country to implement Butterfly Scan Lab technology in classrooms. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training has been a growing area of medicine for some time, but this specific hand-held ultrasound device provides students with direct AI-generated feedback.