Heartland Forward Launches Pioneering AI Caucus to Shape AI Policies Across the Midwest

Heartland Forward Launches the Heartland AI Caucus

On November 4, 2025, Heartland Forward unveiled a groundbreaking initiative with the introduction of the Heartland AI Caucus. This bipartisan group includes state leaders from various heartland states focused on creating responsible AI policies that can foster economic growth across the region.

The Heartland AI Caucus will consist of state legislators and Chief Innovation Officers from states like Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, with plans for further expansion. At the helm will be Bart Hester, the President Pro Tempore of the Arkansas State Senate, who brings extensive leadership experience at a crucial time for AI policy development.

Senator Hester expressed optimism, stating, "The Heartland AI Caucus will position the heartland as a national leader in AI economic development. Our goal is to ensure that policymaking aligns with state objectives to drive innovation and secure economic success". This initiative signifies a strong, bipartisan commitment among heartland leaders in crafting intelligent, effective AI solutions designed to ensure that their states thrive in an AI-driven future.

Objectives of the Heartland AI Caucus

The caucus aims to achieve several objectives:
1. Elevating Heartland Leadership on AI: Promote the heartland's leadership at state and local levels in AI innovation, enhance the talent pipeline, and drive economic growth in the region.
2. Facilitating Cross-State Collaboration: Bring together bipartisan leaders from across the heartland to discuss AI's transformative potential, sharing ideas, challenges, and opportunities.
3. Advancing Smart AI Policy Solutions: Identify AI policy priorities and develop model legislation to support responsible AI adoption and regional economic enhancement, focusing on small businesses, education, and workforce development.

Josh Fleig, Louisiana's Chief Innovation Officer and a member of the caucus, emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, "AI is moving at lightning speed. The cooperative effort facilitated by the Heartland AI Caucus is vital for us to seize the unparalleled innovation opportunities before us". He highlighted the need for pooling expertise and learning from each other's efforts to ensure the broader heartland region can lead in this new Intelligence Age.

As this caucus develops policies to equip heartland citizens, including students and small business owners, for the future, Heartland Forward will provide essential research and policy insights. Recent polling conducted by Heartland Forward indicated a significant readiness gap in AI skills among the workforce. While 71% of respondents believe employers should offer AI training, less than 1% reported feeling proficient in using AI tools at work. Additionally, a survey indicated that although 77% of Gen Z in the heartland utilize generative AI tools, only 10% felt adequately prepared by their educational institutions for future use of AI in their careers.

Angie Cooper, President of Heartland Forward, stated, "We are dedicated to supporting our states and local communities. By gathering heartland leaders and sharing critical insights and research, we can drive intelligent AI policy and stimulate economic growth in the region".

The Heartland AI Caucus builds upon the achievements of Heartland Forward's Heartland Health Caucus, which successfully advocated for new laws benefiting healthcare access and job growth across eight heartland states, including Arkansas, Indiana, and Tennessee. The Heartland AI Caucus has also secured initial funding from Google.org, aligning with the goal to expand AI knowledge and expertise in the region.

The announcement of this significant initiative was made during an event held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, marking a pivotal moment for AI policy in the heartland.

About Heartland Forward

Heartland Forward is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming ideas into actionable policies for states and communities in the heartland of America. Their mission is to spur economic growth, alter the narrative about the Midwest, and generate $500 million in economic impact by 2030 through research, community initiatives, and strategic policymaking, focusing on regional competitiveness, talent development, and health and wellness issues.