Gov. Braun unveils statewide AI initiative in Fort Wayne, says it aims to reach 1 million Hoosiers

Gov. Braun announced a statewide initiative to expand artificial intelligence adoption at an event in Fort Wayne, saying the program aims to benefit "at least a million Hoosiers" but offering no firm job-growth target or funding commitments.

The governor framed the initiative as part of a broader economic strategy to keep Indiana competitive in advanced manufacturing and technology. Asked whether the program will include grants, Gov. Braun said that whether the state awards grants or pursues public–private partnerships will depend on the state's cash flow and economic performance: "it depends on the state's cash flow ... we're looking at all that in terms of what we can do" (question and response). He described the initiative as "worker-oriented," saying input will come from employers already using AI and from larger companies that may adopt the tools earlier.

During a question-and-answer session, the governor addressed concerns about job loss tied to automation, comparing AI to earlier technology shifts and urging caution without avoidance: "Anything new, you got to not necessarily embrace it without question, but if you avoid it, you might regret it down the road." He reiterated that the administration wants Indiana "to be on the leading edge of it" and will consider best practices and leading firms when designing the program.

On specifics, the administration did not provide a timeline for rollouts or a formula for selecting grant recipients. The governor said state officials will evaluate options such as grants, state-funded workshops and public–private partnerships based on available resources and economic indicators rather than announcing immediate, dedicated funding. He also said the state will solicit input nationally about what is working elsewhere.

The event closed with plans for photographs and informal follow-up questions; no formal funding commitments or deadlines were announced at the event.