The tools Ohio tech leaders can't work without
Ohio tech leaders are moving beyond generic productivity apps toward AI-native workflows. From Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT for daily problem-solving to specialized tools like Kiro and Claude Code, these leaders are using AI to shift from "building" to "architecting" solutions.
Productivity tools are everywhere. Most get abandoned after a week. The ones that stick around are the ones that actually change how work gets done.
We asked Ohio tech leaders to name the one tool or software their team adopted that they can't live without. Their picks reveal what's actually working when the noise of software marketing fades. From AI coding assistants to legal research platforms, here's what made the cut.
1. ChatGPT for Daily Problem-Solving
“ChatGPT has become an indispensable tool I rely on daily. As a top 1% user in 2025, I've seen firsthand how powerful it is for brainstorming, idea generation, and working through complex technical or business problems. From troubleshooting systems to accelerating decision-making, it consistently improves productivity across both strategic and operational tasks.” — Shani Bhavsar, CEO/CTO, Dash Technologies Inc.
2. Factory.ai for Terminal-Based Efficiency
"Factory.ai is an amazing tool that allows me to live almost entirely in a terminal window and has greatly increased my efficiency." — Grant Schneider, CTO, Machine Learning, Upstart
3. ChatGPT Atlas for Information Processing
"Early stage but ChatGPT Atlas has been helping a lot with the daily information processing, scheduling, and research." — Tushar Kulkarni, CEO, Big Kitty Labs
4. Microsoft Copilot Across the Enterprise
"We are a Copilot environment that is just starting to love Copilot for both the off-the-shelf agents and tools and the opportunity to create custom agents." — Baiju R. Shah, CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership
5. Kiro: Architecting Solutions, Not Writing Code
"I am fascinated with Kiro because it fundamentally reframes software development, shifting the human mindset from being a 'builder' of code to an 'architect' of solutions. While tools like Cursor drive efficiency, Kiro enforces a disciplined, spec-driven workflow that aligns perfectly with the 'measure twice, cut once' ethos of the Toyota Production System. This approach prioritizes structural intent over syntax, allowing us to orchestrate complex systems where the human provides the blueprint and the AI manages the execution." — Srini Koushik, CEO, Right Brain Labs
6. Claude Code for Go-to-Market Workflows
"The team at RWX vibe-coded an entire go-to-market workflow engine using Claude Code. The ability to do more with less is rapidly increasing." — Dan Manges, Cofounder, RWX
7. Microsoft Co-Pilot for AI-Powered Productivity
"At CentraComm, our primary AI tool is Microsoft Copilot. The productivity gains and ROI have been exceptional. We continue to learn new ways to apply its features and functionality. We thank Microsoft for continually upgrading Microsoft Copilot. Like other businesses, we are also researching and reviewing other AI tools that are focused on specific business applications. The march to harness the power of AI will surely continue for years to come." — Lynn R. Child, President, CentraComm Cybersecurity
8. Lexis Protege for Legal Research
When efficiency matters in legal research, Croft relies on: "Lexis Protege." — David Croft, Attorney/Board member, Meyers Roman Friedberg and Lewis
The pattern is impossible to miss: AI tools dominate this list. But these aren't generic productivity claims. Leaders are using AI to reframe entire workflows, from terminal-based development to go-to-market engines built through conversational coding. Microsoft Copilot appears twice, showing enterprise adoption at scale. And the most telling picks are the ones that change how people think about their work — Kiro shifting developers from builders to architects, Factory.ai collapsing workflows into terminal commands, ChatGPT handling everything from troubleshooting to strategic decisions. These tools are infrastructure for a different way of working.
This article is part of The Blueprint: Insights from Ohio Tech Leaders, an exclusive editorial series from OhioX and Ohio Tech News showcasing the people and ideas shaping our state's tech sector. This invitation-only platform features curated perspectives from the state’s most influential technology executives and innovators. To learn more about this series or to inquire about future partnership opportunities and inclusion, please submit your interest.
