It’s my honor to serve a community that believes in a future of economic prosperity and opportunity for every Hoosier. And today, I want to talk with you about something that is going to shape that future in ways big and small: artificial intelligence — or AI.

AI is already becoming part of our daily lives. It’s changing how we work, access information, build our businesses and deliver public services. It’s powerful. And like any powerful tool, how we use it matters.

That’s why lawmakers across the country — and here in Indiana — are now thinking more deeply about how we should incorporate, utilize and manage AI. And the truth is, we need to get this right. Not just to keep our communities safe, but to make sure that everyone in our state can share in the progress AI can offer.

All of Indiana’s elected leaders must strike the right balance as we must ensure major AI companies and businesses using AI can not only call Indiana home but excel and grow here. We need a business environment where entrepreneurs have the freedom to build the next big thing and where students and young people can maximize their potential.

Indiana is already a place where innovation is happening. Our universities are working on cutting-edge research in AI, automation and cybersecurity. Our public-private partnerships are growing stronger. And our state is seeing more tech-sector investment than ever before. That’s no accident. it’s because Indiana has shown that it welcomes progress, with regulatory guardrails that make sense and does not stop innovation.

But we can’t take that progress for granted. If we start pushing a heavy-handed regulatory approach, like some states already have, we risk pushing talent and investment elsewhere.

We need to ensure that an AI-powered future — with better jobs, better health care, better transportation — doesn’t leave anyone behind. That means making sure rural and underserved communities have the necessary access and resources to be a part of this progress. And it means listening to business leaders, educators and families in every part of the state.

If we stay focused on innovation and inclusion, Indiana can lead the nation in building technology that works for everyone.

So, let’s keep working together to ensure we maximize Indiana’s AI potential — for both the present and future of our great state.