September 18 event at Notre Dame will connect regional businesses and community leaders with practical applications, proven results and resources for responsible AI adoption

South Bend, Ind. (August 31, 2026) – The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), in collaboration with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership and the University of Notre Dame’s iNDustry Labs, will bring the statewide IN AI Roadshow Series to the Morris Inn at Notre Dame on Friday, September 18.

The no-cost event is designed to help employers and organizations understand, evaluate and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that can improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness and prepare their workforces for an AI-driven economy. Registration, breakfast and networking begin at 8 a.m., with programming scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“The South Bend – Elkhart region has a powerful combination of manufacturing strength, entrepreneurial capacity and university expertise,” said Ting Gootee, EVP of Digital Adoption at CICP.” The IN AI Roadshow is designed to turn that regional advantage into action by helping organizations identify practical AI opportunities, learn from peers and connect with resources that can help them move from exploration to implementation.”

Regional Experience Producing Measurable Results

The Roadshow builds on work already underway through Notre Dame’s iNDustry Labs, which creates partnerships between the University and companies within a 45-minute drive of campus. iNDustry Labs works with more than 300 senior leaders at 130 firms, connecting regional companies with Notre Dame faculty, student talent, research capabilities and technology resources.

iNDustry Labs is helping regional manufacturers and logistics companies prepare for generative AI. A 2025 survey of 21 companies confirmed strong interest in adoption while identifying governance and workforce-skill gaps that must be addressed for implementation to succeed. In response, iNDustry Labs launched a regional GenAI executive group to share practices and pursue proof-of-concept projects that demonstrate business value. Through the AI Leaders of Tomorrow (AILoT) program, student fellows are paired with regional companies for a paid, experiential fellowship, building working AI-based solutions to real business problems under the mentoring of Notre Dame’s DAC AI Engineers and iNDustry Labs staff.

iNDustry Labs’ Regional Careers Initiative promotes high-impact roles at regional companies to talent in the Notre Dame Network. The iNDustry Labs team partners closely with executives and hiring managers from regional firms to highlight emerging talent needs as companies adopt and scale AI technologies. The initiative also connects regional employers with Notre Dame alumni and faculty/staff spouses who are eager to grow their careers in the South Bend – Elkhart region.

“Our region has never lacked ingenuity; the opportunity now is to help companies apply emerging technologies in ways that solve real problems and strengthen their people,” said Maria Gibbs, Executive Director, iNDustry Labs. “By connecting businesses with Notre Dame expertise and talent, we can help organizations test ideas, build internal capability and translate AI into measurable value.”

“The South Bend – Elkhart region competes by working together across communities, industries and institutions,” said Bethany Hartley, President and CEO, South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “This Roadshow gives employers and community partners a common place to learn, compare experiences and identify the next practical step for their organizations and our regional economy.”

From Interest to Action

The event is part of IN AI, the statewide initiative launched by Gov. Mike Braun with support from CICP to accelerate Indiana’s readiness for an AI-driven economy. The human-centered initiative equips businesses, organizations and individuals with the knowledge, tools and connections needed to adopt AI responsibly and successfully.

More than 17%of Indiana businesses have reported using AI to advance their operations. The Roadshow will demonstrate how adoption is translating into operational results while helping organizations at the beginning of their AI journeys determine where the technology may – or may not – fit.

Participants will:

  • Hear real-world examples of AI being applied in business operations and workforce settings;
  • Gain hands-on experience with leading AI tools and practical use cases;
  • Identify operational or organizational challenges that may be appropriate for an AI-enabled solution; and
  • Connect with regional and statewide resources that can support assessment, training and implementation.

The Indiana Chamber supports the statewide IN AI Roadshow Series by bringing a business-focused perspective and connecting employers with practical resources related to AI adoption, workforce readiness and long-term competitiveness. The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership and iNDustry Labs are connecting the initiative with regional employers, educators, innovators and community leaders.

To register for the South Bend – Elkhart IN AI Roadshow, visit: https://www.cicpindiana.com/ai-roadshows/#roadshows

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About IN AI

IN AI is a statewide initiative launched by Governor Mike Braun, with the support of the CEOs of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), to accelerate Indiana’s readiness for the AI-driven economy. The human-centered initiative focuses on empowering businesses with the tools and resources needed to adopt artificial intelligence, aiming to engage Hoosiers around the state and make Indiana the most AI-ready state in the nation. IN AI will drive productivity, create high-paying jobs, and position Indiana as a leader in the global AI economy. For more information, visit INAIReady.com.

About CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership

The CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) was formed in 1999 to bring together the chief executives of the region’s prominent corporations, foundations and universities in a strategic and collaborative effort dedicated to Indiana’s continued prosperity and growth. To advance this objective, CICP sponsors five key talent and industry sector initiatives, AgriNovus Indiana, Ascend Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, and TechPoint, each of which addresses challenges and opportunities unique to its respective area: agbiosciences, talent and workforce development, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics, and technology. To learn more about CICP, visit cicpindiana.com.

About the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership

The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership brings together economic development organizations and other partners across the region to align resources, attract and retain talent, support entrepreneurship, strengthen industry and advance long-term economic growth. For more information, visit southbendelkhart.org.

 

About Notre Dame iNDustry Labs

iNDustry Labs at the University of Notre Dame forms long-term partnerships with regional companies to drive innovation, economic resilience and real-world impact for both industry and the University. It connects businesses with Notre Dame faculty, students, research capabilities and technology resources to unlock business value and create a shared competitive advantage for the South Bend-Elkhart region. For more information, visit industrylabs.nd.edu.