Rural communities have the talent, grit, and creativity to build vibrant local economies. But too often, they face barriers: limited capital, small populations, and gaps in tech expertise.

Now, AI offers an unprecedented chance to overcome those barriers and turn them into strengths. AI can help small teams do big things, reduce the cost of innovation, and open new doors for business creation and growth.

The Center on Rural Innovation is ensuring rural America is positioned to lead in the AI era, focusing on three key areas:

Our AI Approach

Leaders

We equip local leaders with the insights, data, and peer network they need to bring AI-driven opportunities home. Through our Rural Innovation Network, now expanding to 90 micropolitan regions, we help communities plan, fund, and launch tech-based economic strategies.

 

Learners

We prepare the rural workforce for AI-native jobs. By partnering with colleges and training providers, we deliver hands-on, project-based AI training that builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills, creating new pathways to good jobs close to home.

Founders

We support entrepreneurs with best-in-class AI tools and startup frameworks, helping small, resource-limited teams build products faster, smarter, and more efficiently.

AI Advisory Board

CORI’s AI Advisory Board brings together leaders in technology, innovation, and governance to guide a forward-looking, responsible AI strategy rooted in the needs of rural communities. The Board provides strategic insight on emerging trends and real-world applications to help translate advances in AI into practical, inclusive opportunities for rural economies, founders, and learners.

Meet Our AI Advisors
Andrew McLaughlin Headshot

COO, SandboxAQ

Andrew McLaughlin

Will Patterson Headshot

Co-Founder Stealth Startup

Will Patterson

Jacob Smith Headshot

Member, CORI Board of Directors

Jacob Smith

Terra Terwilliger Headshot

Director, Strategic Initiatives and Public Engagement, Google DeepMind

Terra Terwilliger

Omer Trajman Headshot

Founder, Ask Fora

Omer Trajman

Sean White Headshot

CEO, Inflection AI

Sean White

Driving Momentum Nationwide

In September 2025, CORI convened 180+ rural leaders, entrepreneurs, funders, and tech experts for the first-ever national rural AI conference, Accelerating What’s Possible. This event sparked a movement, proving rural innovators are ready to lead in the AI economy.

With support from our funders, we can scale this work to ensure rural America thrives in the Age of AI.

Watch Conference Recordings