Heartland AI Caucus

Preparing the Heartland

to Lead on AI

The Heartland AI Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and executive leaders from Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee committed to shaping the future of artificial intelligence across the heartland.

Program Mission

Strengthening innovation, workforce
readiness and economic competitiveness

By bringing together leaders including state legislators, mayors, state chief innovation officers and state AI directors, the Heartland AI Caucus aims to position the region as a national leader in harnessing AI’s potential to drive long-term economic growth across the heartland.

Facilitate Collaboration

We connect leaders from across heartland states to learn and share opportunities, challenges and ideas related to AI.

Advance Smart AI Action

Identify AI priorities and thoughtful actions that support responsible AI adoption and regional economic growth.

Elevate AI Leadership

Elevate the heartland’s AI leadership to fuel innovation, strengthen the talent pipeline and drive economic success.

The Heartland AI Caucus represents a bipartisan commitment to create effective AI solutions so our region thrives in an AI-driven world.

Heartland AI Caucus Members

  • Bart Hester

    State Senator District 33

  • Robert McGough

    Chief Data Officer, Department of Information Systems

  • Andrew Collins

    State Representative District 73

  • Stephanie Orman

    Mayor of Bentonville

  • Patrick Nolan

    Deputy State Chief Information Officer

  • Cristina Castro

    State Senator District 73

  • Lily Wu

    Mayor of Wichita

  • Josh Fleig

    Chief Innovation Officer

  • Annie Spell

    State Representative District 45

  • Vanitha Zacharias

    Investment and Government Division Director, Office of Information and Technology

  • Katrina Floyd

    Chief Information Officer

  • Emily Gise

    State Representative District 90

  • Arturo Alonso Sandoval

    State Representative District 90

  • Daniel Pae

    State Representative District 62

  • David Mason

    Mayor of Enid

  • Roger Waynick

    Director of AI

  • Tim Kelly

    Mayor of Chattanooga

AI Polling

AI Whitepapers

Program News