As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes industries, Ohio stands at a pivotal point for transforming its workforce and economy. The University of Akron’s 2025 Ohio Economic Forum gathered industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and innovators to explore the impact of AI on Ohio's labor market. As AI takes on manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and retail tasks, it is transforming the skills Ohioans need to succeed. This forum focused on how AI influences job landscapes, skill requirements, and business strategies to gain insight into what Ohio’s future workforce will need to thrive in a tech-driven economy. Our keynote speaker and panelists identified both the opportunities and challenges of AI for Ohio’s labor market, and addressed questions such as:

• What unique opportunities does Ohio have to leverage AI for economic growth?
• What challenges does Ohio face in making AI integration beneficial across urban and rural areas?
• With AI transforming jobs in Ohio’s key industries, where will new job opportunities emerge, and which specific jobs are most at risk of automation?
• What role can businesses and local governments play in retraining workers whose jobs are impacted by AI?