New artificial intelligence center to launch in central Wisconsin

A collaborative initiative focused on adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) through workforce training and industry integration across central and northcentral Wisconsin will launch this week in Wausau.

The Central Wisconsin AI Center (CWAIC) will bring together its partners for a media event at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 1, in the Timberwolf Conference Center, room D100, at Northcentral Technical College (NTC), 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau. Those include representatives from NTC, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce and Midpoint Consulting. Those attending will discuss the center's mission and anticipated impact on the region.

CWAIC will serve as a hub for AI education, business development and workforce transformation, aiming to empower workers and businesses with the skills and knowledge to adopt AI technologies in their operations. The center is poised to become a catalyst for regional economic development by offering workforce training programs, K-12 educational pathways and industry-specific AI solutions.

"As workforce evolves, NTC is committed to providing educational opportunities in AI that empower workers and businesses across the diverse industries we support including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and more," said Jeannie Worden, president of NTC. "We are proud to partner with UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout, the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce and Midpoint Consulting to build a culture of responsible AI use that drives productivity, sustainability and innovation in central Wisconsin."

"UW-Stevens Point is proud to be a part of this initiative, particularly through our commitment to building AI technologies into our K-12 education pipelines," said UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Thomas Gibson. "We will support current and future educators in leveraging AI technologies in the classroom that will help students excel in a rapidly changing technological landscape. Our Continuing Education and Outreach's customized training and expertise is also a great resource to support regional employers looking to advance AI in their organization. The Central Wisconsin AI Center will serve as a critical foundation for growing Wisconsin's AI talent pool."

"UW-Stout's polytechnic approach positions us to support AI innovation-ready companies through product development and integration expertise," said UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank. "Our collaborative efforts with the center will foster the next generation of AI-driven solutions and tools that will benefit industries far and wide."

"The rapid rise and deployment of artificial intelligence is accelerating a pace of technological change that will disrupt any business in every industry sector," said Dave Eckmann, president and CEO of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce. "At the heart of every business enterprise is its people - the workforce. The CWAIC will ensure companies and working professionals have access to AI tools that will allow for growth and prosperity."