IndyHackers, AI in Fort Wayne and Indiana's first chapter of The AI Collective and other groups join statewide effort to accelerate practical AI adoption

INDIANAPOLIS (September 17, 2026) – IN AI, Indiana's statewide initiative to accelerate the practical adoption of artificial intelligence, today announced the addition of six peer learning networks, expanding opportunities for Hoosier businesses and professionals to learn from one another and put AI to work. 

IN AI was launched in April as a statewide effort focused on helping Indiana businesses grow, create jobs and increase wages through the practical application of human-centered AI. Led by the CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), the initiative connects employers with practical use cases, learning opportunities, peer networks, expertise and talent to help organizations move from AI awareness to implementation. 

IndyHackers, AI in Fort Wayne (AI in FW), AI in Software Engineering, The AI Collective – Indianapolis, Notre Dame AI Executive Group, and AI Indy will join IN AI as peer learning networks. Together, the communities connect technology professionals, AI practitioners, business leaders, entrepreneurs and senior executives across Indiana with the statewide initiative while creating additional opportunities to share practical experiences, develop skills and explore applications of AI. 

IN AI also announced that its previously planned November virtual Roadshow will instead be held in person in Fort Wayne on November 13, 2026. The event expands the statewide roadshow series and will bring practical AI education, company use cases, peer learning and connections to implementation resources directly to Northeast Indiana. 

"AI adoption accelerates when people can learn from others who are already experimenting, solving problems and putting the technology to work," said Ting Gootee, EVP of Digital Adoption with CICP. "Indiana already has strong communities creating those connections. Bringing them into IN AI and expanding our roadshow series to Fort Wayne gives more Hoosiers ongoing opportunities to learn from one another, build relationships and move from interest in AI to practical application." 

Expanding Indiana's AI Peer Learning Infrastructure 

The six peer learning networks bring complementary communities, audiences and programming to IN AI: 

 

  • IndyHackers is one of Indiana's largest established technology communities, connecting more than 3,000 members through its Slack community and a statewide calendar of more than 40 meetups and events each year. Its community spans software development, data, cloud computing, cybersecurity, startups, AI and machine learning, creating connections among technology practitioners with a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. Through IN AI, IndyHackers will help connect Indiana's broader technology community with opportunities to exchange AI knowledge, applications and experiences. https://www.indyhackers.org/ 
  • AI in Fort Wayne (AI in FW) is a grassroots community serving Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. Its welcoming monthly gatherings bring together everyone from people who are simply curious about AI to experienced practitioners. Participants explore practical tools through live demonstrations, join community-led conversations, and build meaningful local connections. The community also hosts panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and nationwide initiatives. Between events, the conversation continues in its Slack community, with a new member hub launching soon.  
  • AI in Software Engineering (AISE) brings together over 200 software engineers and technical practitioners across the Indianapolis area to explore how AI is accelerating software development and engineering workflows. The community hosts regular meetups for technologists to share practical tools, techniques and lessons from putting AI to work. No sales, no bravado, just local builders sharing what works (and what doesn't)! Recent gatherings have drawn more than 50 engineers and featured topics ranging from supercharging coding harnesses to building fully automated software factories.  
  • The AI Collective – Indianapolis is the first Indiana chapter of The AI Collective, connecting the state with what the organization describes as the world's largest AI community. The global nonprofit has grown to more than 180 chapters across 40-plus countries, supported by hundreds of volunteer organizers and a community spanning founders, engineers, researchers, investors, operators and teams at leading AI organizations. Its programming includes demo nights, hackathons, workshops, dinners and other community-led experiences designed to connect people building and applying AI. The Indianapolis chapter will give Hoosiers access to both a locally led AI community and The AI Collective's international network of expertise, ideas and relationships. The organization hosts free monthly in-person meetup events in the Indianapolis metro area.  
  • Notre Dame AI Executive Group, part of iNDustry Labs' AI Community of Practice, brings together C-suite and senior executives from companies across the South Bend–Elkhart region for peer-level dialogue on AI adoption. The executive group, consisting of over 100 members, meets regularly to share what is working inside their organizations, share case studies on how AI is changing their industries and operations, and engage with speakers from the Notre Dame network. Through IN AI, the group will extend this executive-level learning by sharing best practices in driving AI adoption via iNDustry Labs. 
  • AI Indy is an Indianapolis-based community bringing together innovators, founders, business leaders, technical teams, educators and others interested in practical, applied AI and what it means for Indiana. Its programming spans meetups and roundtables, expert-led panels and discussions, hands-on workshops that build working AI skills, and community demo events where members share what they have built and the lessons behind them. The community has brought hundreds of Hoosiers together at events over the past year. Through IN AI, AI Indy will put more Hoosiers in the room with people they would not otherwise meet, creating the collision energy that turns ideas into projects, partnerships and companies, and helping ensure Indiana is prepared to shape the AI-driven economy.  

 

Together, the networks expand IN AI's peer learning infrastructure by connecting communities already convening technologists, business professionals, entrepreneurs and AI practitioners. They will complement IN AI's statewide roadshows, company use cases, educational resources and project pathways by creating ongoing opportunities for Hoosiers to learn from one another, exchange practical experiences and maintain connections between larger statewide events. 

 

Fort Wayne Joins Statewide IN AI Roadshow 

The Nov. 13 Fort Wayne Roadshow will partner with AI in FW and is designed for business leaders, technology professionals and others interested in understanding how organizations are applying AI today. Programming will focus on practical business applications, lessons from Indiana companies, peer exchange and resources that can help organizations identify and advance AI projects. 

The Fort Wayne event replaces a previously planned virtual IN AI Roadshow, expanding the initiative's in-person regional engagement and providing another opportunity for employers and professionals to connect directly with AI practitioners, peers and resources in 2026. Additional details about the Fort Wayne Roadshow, including location, speakers and registration are available at www.cicpindiana.com/ai-roadshows. To learn more about IN AI, upcoming Roadshows, AI resources and opportunities to participate, visit INAIReady.com. 

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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 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.