carla dempsey
It seems like it wasn’t that long ago that many business and industry leaders were looking to artificial intelligence (AI) as something that would ultimately change the future. However, few people understood how quickly the future would get here.
AI has completely changed the way the world does business. Digital twin technology has revolutionized manufacturing. Precision agricultural tools are improving the agriculture industry, and AI is now a core capability in redefining supply chains and optimizing logistics routes.
As technology continues to reshape the competitive landscape, a new report from TechPoint, a technology sector growth organization, and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership finds that “AI has rapidly moved from experimentation to corporate integration within five years.” As a result, the organization emphasizes that it is imperative that Hoosier business, education and government leaders work together to prioritize closing the technology skills gap.
“Indiana is at a tipping point,” TechPoint President and CEO Ting Gootee said in a press release about the report. “The global economy is moving toward an AI-enabled future, and Indiana’s economic success depends on how quickly and effectively we can adapt. The evidence is clear. To remain competitive, we must integrate AI into our training programs, expand adoption across sectors, and accelerate skill development.”
The most important skills gap
The report, “AI-Driven Skills for Indiana’s Economy,” is based on a survey of 100 state employers, academics, organizational leaders, and other stakeholders to identify the biggest technology skills gaps, what challenges and opportunities they see in workforce development, and the importance of upskilling and reskilling in strengthening workforce development to keep pace with technology change.
Survey results show that of all workforce gaps, AI and machine learning capabilities currently rank at the top. The report notes that while AI-related jobs increased by 440% from 2023 to 2025, non-AI jobs decreased during that time. Respondents indicated that the most in-demand jobs currently needed are software development engineers, machine learning engineers, and data analysts.
Survey participants also indicated that upskilling and reskilling programs for employees in these roles are a top priority, even more important than new hires and talent retention.
Why AI matters now
Researchers note in the report that Indiana closely tracks the national average for AI adoption in business. Analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS), Indiana ranks 35th.th domestically for businesses that use AI. But when the data is adjusted for the state’s strong manufacturing industry, the state’s ranking rises to No. 6.th domestically.
Manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture are three thriving industries in the state, and these are also areas where the introduction of AI could have a significant impact. This recruitment and workforce development is not only critical to keeping Indiana on track on a national and global level, it also sets the pace for essential growth to remain competitive well into the future.
As industries look for ways to overcome the challenges posed by a plateauing and shrinking workforce, productivity gains will increasingly rely on what AI can deliver. The report states: “Indiana cannot afford to ramp up AI adoption and skills development slowly.”
Move quickly, move together
Sustained adoption of AI will depend on coordination between employers, educators, and policy makers, notes TechPoint. The organization’s recommendations in the report emphasize that no sector can successfully close the skills gap alone. Effectively developing a plan to ensure Indiana emerges as an AI-enabled leader will require collaboration from all three parties.
To achieve this, the report highlights three urgent steps:
- Emphasize integrating AI into employee training programs to help employees learn industry-specific skills.
- We will expand the adoption of AI, particularly in Indiana’s core sectors of manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture, where productivity gains will be significant.
- Facilitate shared learning across sectors to drive broader use and accelerate adoption.
“Indiana is at a critical juncture. The global economy is moving toward an AI-powered future, and the state’s economic success will depend on how quickly and effectively it can adapt,” the report said. “TechPoint research and national adoption data make it clear that Indiana needs to invest in skills, drive adoption, and embrace AI as a foundational element of competitiveness.”
