Kentucky Chamber’s 2nd Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit Highlights the Real-World Impact of AI

Business leaders, elected officials, educators, and technology experts from across Kentucky gathered in Louisville on July 21 for the Kentucky Chamber’s 2nd Annual AI Summit, presented by Deloitte, to explore how artificial intelligence is changing how Kentuckians live and work.

Jim Ford of the Chamber welcomed attendees and spoke about the growing impact of AI in shaping Kentucky’s future. He also recognized Deloitte’s efforts that reach nearly two million Kentuckians and all 120 counties.

Jamia McDonald of Deloitte opened the Summit by sharing how AI is moving quickly from concept to everyday use. She emphasized that Kentucky is becoming a national leader in responsible AI use through collaboration among business, government, and education. She urged leaders to adopt this approach and see AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a long-term investment in solving real-world challenges.

“Last year, AI was approached with caution. This year, every industry is using it, experimenting to understand where and how it fits into their processes,” she said. “That mindset encourages curiosity, continuous learning, and bold thinking across every organization represented here today.”

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Jordan Harris of Deloitte discussed how the city focuses its AI efforts to help address challenges, enhance services, and drive innovation. Greenberg highlighted a $2 million investment to integrate AI into city operations, including planning, permitting, and emergency response. One example is Louisville’s new program, one of only two in the country, that uses AI and drone technology to communicate real-time data to emergency responders before they reach a scene. Greenberg said this work is not just about using new technology, but about finding better ways to serve the people of Louisville.

A panel of business, education, and government leaders discussed how Kentucky’s strengths in energy, logistics, and manufacturing create a strong foundation for growth in artificial intelligence. The conversation focused on applying AI in practical ways that deliver measurable benefits to Kentuckians.

Katherine Gaztambide of the Institute for Responsive Government explained how AI can strengthen public programs like Medicaid to ensure more streamlined and efficient services.

John Bevington of LG&E and KU said the company is using artificial intelligence to improve its response to outages, prepare for weather events, and analyze vast amounts of weather data to better predict storm impacts. This allows their teams to respond more quickly and strategically, reducing downtime for customers and improving service reliability.

Ryan Quarles, of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, emphasized that AI is being integrated into workforce training across the state, aligning programs with employer needs and helping Kentuckians succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

During a panel on business adoption of AI, Brian Pulito of IBM, Jeff Guan, Ph.D. of the University of Louisville College of Business, Kevin Nolan of GE Appliances, and Jean Chick of Deloitte Consulting said adopting AI is no longer optional; it’s essential for staying competitive.

The business leaders highlighted real-world examples, including the development of AI assistants for sales teams, faster prototyping tools, and the use of generative AI to streamline operations in HR and IT.

Nolan also stressed the importance of intentionality when working with AI and data, especially in a company like GE Appliances, where the technology operates in people’s homes.

The group agreed that the goal is not to replace people but to empower them, helping workers go beyond repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value work. Doing this, businesses can create work environments that are prepared for the future.