Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted said that the state's new AI in Education Strategy is designed to equip students for success in an AI-driven future. He highlighted how this strategy builds on InnovateOhio’s initiatives to position Ohio as a leader in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

“The AI in Education Strategy was created to help educators prepare students for success in an AI-infused world,” Husted wrote in a Nov. 20 social media post on X. The strategy builds on InnovateOhio's work, through the AI Toolkit, AI Forums and more, to ensure Ohio remains a leader in responding to the challenges and opportunities made possible by artificial intelligence.”

In May 2024, Ohio's AI in Education Coalition, led by Husted, gathered to create a detailed strategy to prepare the state's K-12 education system for the AI revolution. The coalition, which included representatives from industry, school districts, and other key stakeholders, was split into three workgroups—Industry, Operations, and Instructional—each focusing on different facets of AI's influence on education.

The Ohio AI in Education Coalition's forward-looking strategy aligns with a broader trend in the state toward leveraging technology for greater efficiency and innovation. Husted recently showcased another successful application of AI with the “Innovate the Code” initiative, which has streamlined the state's regulatory framework by eliminating outdated or redundant rules. Supported by Deloitte, this AI-driven effort is part of Ohio's larger goal to modernize its systems.

In early October, Husted attended a Manufacturing Appreciation Luncheon in Guernsey County to emphasize the importance of robotics, automation, and advanced sensors in boosting the state's manufacturing output. The event, organized by the Cambridge-Guernsey County Improvement Corporation for Manufacturing Month, underscored Ohio's $114 billion annual manufacturing sector, which ranks third in the nation. Husted also visited Noble County, where he toured the new $4.8 million Caldwell East of I-77 Business Park, a development expected to attract light manufacturing and logistics projects.

According to his official bio page, Jon Husted was adopted and raised in Northwest Ohio's Williams County. He grew up with a strong foundation in faith, family, and hard work. After excelling as an All-American defensive back and earning advanced degrees from the University of Dayton, Husted contributed to economic development as vice president at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce.

Husted's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by significant improvements in business processes, including reducing start-up costs and eliminating office fees, saving taxpayers millions. As House Speaker, he championed Ohio’s most conservative budget in decades with a historic income tax cut. Elected Lt. Governor in 2018, Husted continues to balance his public service with his roles as a husband to his wife Tina and father to their three children.