Spotlights
No fluff, just the signal. We asked eight Ohio tech leaders—from CEOs to engineering deans—to share the one resource they actually vouch for. From quantum mechanics on YouTube to the psychology of team dynamics, here is the shortlist of what’s helping inspire and inform Ohio's leaders in 2026.
Spotlights
Ohio tech leaders are shifting hiring priorities toward traits AI can't replicate. Beyond technical skills, they value high agency, curiosity, and written communication. As AI commoditizes hard skills, the ability to translate complexity and take ownership has become irreplaceable.
Spotlights
Ohio’s economic stability, multibillion-dollar infrastructure investments, and a culture that values profit over hype are fueling tech leaders’ optimism. With strengths in quantum computing and a collaborative B2B environment, the state is built for durable, real-world innovation.
Commentary
Deloitte’s Braden Thompson highlights Ohio as a public sector leader in future-proofing digital architecture. By migrating legacy systems to the cloud and utilizing human-centered design, the state has transformed the OHID platform into an award-winning portal serving 8 million residents.
Commentary
Srini Koushik argues that AI Fluency, not just literacy, is the only defense against systemic risk. By moving beyond "machine-speak" to a native understanding, leaders can use a 5-pillar framework to navigate "unknown unknowns" and re-architect competitive strategy.
Commentary
While CEOs invest in AI, employee anxiety creates friction. Shifting from a "Replacement" era to a "Reshuffle," Srini Koushik argues that AI unbundles skills from roles rather than making humans obsolete. Leaders must move beyond automation to integrate cognitive thinking partners.
Commentary
Ohio is leveraging artificial intelligence to modernize state operations and cut bureaucratic red tape. The state is embracing innovation to deliver faster, more efficient results for businesses and voters, writes Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
Commentary
Viewing AI as a mere optimization tool is the "horseless carriage" syndrome. Right Brain Labs CEO Srini Koushik argues the technology represents a civilizational shift in agency and details the urgent need for leaders to move beyond basic literacy toward true AI fluency.
Commentary
Historically, much of the venture capital used to fund Ohio-originated innovation has flowed from outside our borders, writes Jon Cross in an op-ed for OTN.
Commentary
The Ohio Chamber Foundation Data Center Study details the state's digital infrastructure boom, which has attracted over $40 billion in private investment. This growth is rebranding the former manufacturing/agriculture hub as the "Silicon Heartland," with Columbus emerging as a top-tier global hub.
Commentary
Ohio Tech Day, organized by OhioX, celebrated technology's role across the state. It highlighted how groups like the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center (MCCTC) are building the skills and opportunities needed to define Ohio's future economy through technology.