I believe the pace of change that lies ahead will make the past five years seem leisurely. While it sounds daunting, it also means that the epicenters of innovation will lose their stranglehold on growth.
The conversation around innovation and economic growth has never been more urgent as the disruption of this future unfolds. Ohio, known for its grit and practicality, is at a pivotal moment where emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to redefine how our businesses and communities succeed. But this opportunity comes with a call to action: how do we ensure that Ohio companies, especially small and midsized businesses, are equipped to leverage these technologies?
Part of the answer lies in linking innovation across sectors and stages. By integrating emerging tools into business practices, companies can move faster and more efficiently with less capital. Processes that used to take hundreds of thousands of dollars and months to build can now be achieved for a fraction of the cost and time. Embracing the general category of emerging AI and other tools can ensure that every business in Ohio has the chance to participate in the tech economy and thrive.
But there are risks and fears, some real and some perceived, related to adoption. AI represents one of the most transformative tools of our time. It allows businesses to solve operational challenges, streamline processes and develop innovative products in once unimaginable ways. The democratization is that everyone can now access low-cost technologies to scale. Ohio’s business leaders must embrace this opportunity — not as a luxury but as a necessity to remain competitive.
AI and related technologies have the power to level the playing field. For example, midsized companies in Northeast Ohio can now harness the same advanced tools that once required enterprise-level resources. These businesses can tap into cutting-edge solutions tailored to their unique needs by engaging with local startups and innovation networks.
This isn’t about adopting “a technology,” it’s about fostering partnerships that can automate and transform mature small to midsized businesses and provide emerging companies with a marketplace. The result is a win-win: startups gain critical market feedback and validation, while established businesses stay ahead of the curve by adopting disruptive ideas early.
For Ohio to win overall in a future innovative economy, we need every part of our ecosystem to lean in. Investors, corporate leaders and policymakers can work together to create an environment where technology can thrive — not just for a select few but for all businesses – main street to high growth.
At JumpStart, we connect companies with the resources, capital and network they need to succeed. Engagement from Ohio’s business leaders can help accelerate success. That means embracing this moment of rapid adoption, exploring what these technologies can offer and being open to collaborative discovery.
Ohio has the potential to lead not just in adopting AI but in showing the world how it can be used to create meaningful, lasting economic growth. Together, we can build an Ohio where businesses of all sizes can thrive in the tech economy and, in doing so, secure our place as a hub of innovation for decades to come.
Julie is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in health care and innovation. As CEO, she steers the organization’s strategic direction, leveraging JumpStart’s 20-year legacy and powerful community partnerships to drive meaningful change across Northern Ohio.
