2024 in Review - Cincinnati AI Catalyst

From: Carl Fraik, Executive Director, Cincinnati AI Catalyst

To: Citizens of the Cincinnati Region
Date: December 31, 2024
Subject: 2024 in Review - Cincinnati AI Catalyst

The Cincinnati AI Catalyst (CaiC) completed our first full year in 2024.

Who are we? We are the Cincinnati AI Catalyst

What do we do? We catalyze the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is inclusive, human-centered and responsible, to improve the lives of people in the Cincinnati Region (and beyond).

Where do we do it? We focus on the 8 Counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana that make up the Cincinnati Region.

Why do we do it? To create prosperity for the 2.3 million people who live in the Cincinnati Region.

How do we do it? We lead the AI Blueprint for the Cincinnati Region, execute projects, provide education and organize events in a way that enables accelerated AI adoption. 

Here’s a detailed look at our progress during 2024:

January 2024

Focus: Establishing Strategic Goals

· Piloted a Generative AI Skills Workshop, introducing foundational training for regional stakeholders.

· Initiated plans to transition three Responsible AI themes into actionable opportunities aimed at becoming scalable products and services.

February 2024

Focus: Establishing Long-Term Goals

· Presented goals and metrics for CaiC’s 3 year plan.

· Advanced the Responsible AI themes by refining target customers and proposed solutions.

March 2024

Focus: Structural Development

· Meeting facilities support from Dr. Kelly Cohen’s AI Bio Lab and Digital Futures at the University of Cincinnati

· Officially registered as a nonprofit organization.

· Launched CaiC’s first website, cincycatalyst.ai.

April 2024

Focus: Project Team Development

· Projects including AI in Education, AI Workforce Development and Inclusion, and AI Risk Evaluation were chartered and fully staffed.

· Conducted sessions to align project progress and organizational structure for the remainder of the year.

May 2024

Focus: Preparing for Cincy AI Week

· Partnered with Enterprise Technology Association (ETA) for the first-ever Cincy AI Week, scheduled for June.

· Launched the Cincinnati AI Builders Forum to connect builders of AI systems.

June 2024

Focus: Cincy AI Week and AI Blueprint Unveiling

· Co-hosted Cincy AI Week (June 11-13), the first AI-focused event in the Midwest, drawing participants from across the Cincinnati Region and USA.

· Released the AI Blueprint for the Cincinnati Region, outlining strategies across eight key elements.

July 2024

Focus: Enhancing Collaboration

· Announced plans for an "AI for Government Operations Workshop" to address how local governments can harness AI responsibly.

· Convened project teams to accelerate progress on ongoing initiatives.

August 2024

Focus: AI in Government

· Hosted the AI for Government Operations Workshop, engaging 40 local leaders in developing readiness roadmaps for local government AI adoption.

· Introduced monthly AI Blueprint Community Action Calls to align on the AI Blueprint’s goals and expand participation.

September 2024

Focus: Governance and Public Education

· Held our first CaiC Board of Directors meeting, with Board members coming from academia, AI, and business.

· Introduced monthly “4th Friday” Community AI Education Forum Action Calls to provide AI education using language that everyone will understand, available to all.

October 2024

• Focus: Community Engagement

· Held brainstorming sessions to enhance CaiC’s regional awareness and engagement efforts.

· Announced CaiC Marketing Leader role.

· Re-affirmed the importance of our relationship with Cincy AI for Humans (Cincy AI)

November 2024

Focus: Scaling Plans for CaiC Project Teams in 2025

· Expanded partnerships with schools, including AI clubs and classroom toolkits.

· Community-wide Workforce Development and Inclusion events

· AI Risk Public Education events

December 2024

Focus: Reflection and Launching New Capabilities

· Conducted a year-end organizational review, revisiting strategic goals and evaluating team effectiveness.

· Launched the AI and Healthcare Project Team.

· Launched the County/City Government Liaison role.

· Participated in Cincy Cyber Week, leading a session on balancing AI Risks and Rewards.

In Conclusion

The Cincinnati AI Catalyst made great strides against our “Foundation and Initial Activation” action plans in 2024, demonstrating our commitment to transforming the Cincinnati Region into one of the Leading AI Hub Regions in the USA.

As we move into 2025, our action plans will shift to “Continued Activation and Integration”, as we continue to activate the balance of the 8 AI Blueprint Key Elements, deepen community engagement and build key partnerships as we prepare to scale our efforts across the region in 2026.

To all members of the Cincinnati AI Catalyst and to all of our partners across the Cincinnati AI ecosystem and beyond, I wish to express my deepest gratitude.