(TNS) — As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes workplaces and classrooms, Haverhill leaders are coming together to help the community navigate a growing “AI economy.”
The City of Haverhill in partnership with the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and local workforce, education and business leaders, will host the Haverhill AI Summit on Thursday, June 18, from 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. at Pinnacle at Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St.
The summit will focus on workforce development, education, business readiness and community opportunity as organizers aim to help residents better understand and prepare for the rapidly changing AI economy.
“AI is changing the way we work, learn, hire, manufacture, and compete,” the Greater Haverhill Chamber wrote. “The Haverhill AI Summit brings together workers, students, educators, businesses, and community leaders to prepare for the AI economy—responsibly, practically and together.”
The event is intended to focus on preparation rather than fear surrounding AI, City Council Vice President John Michitson said.
“Artificial Intelligence is already changing the way we work, learn, hire, manufacture, and compete,” he said. “The risk is not AI taking away jobs; it’s being outcompeted by those who know how to use it. That is why this summit matters.”
The goal of the summit is to move beyond fear or hype and instead focus on awareness, preparation and opportunity, organizers said.
Key themes will include AI workforce readiness, education and business integration, responsible AI use, small business adoption, advanced manufacturing applications, and economic opportunity and community readiness.
The summit will feature regional speakers and thought leaders, including Scott Latham, a professor at University of Massachusetts Lowell, who is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on how innovation and AI are transforming industries, organizations and jobs.
Latham has spent two decades studying how innovation disrupts industries, organizations and jobs.
He was once skeptical of AI, but now focuses on helping communities and organizations understand the scale of AI transformation and prepare for future changes.
The lineup also includes Dan Sarofian-Butin of Merrimack College, who will lead a discussion on education, workforce and business integration. He’s the founding dean of Merrimack College’s School of Education & Social Policy and recently participated in an OpenAI faculty roundtable on the future of AI in education.
Perry Bailes of Support Forge LLC will discuss practical AI integration for small businesses and advanced manufacturing. Seth Cordes of Uncommon Catalyst will speak about ethics, trust, cybersecurity and responsible AI.
The summit is expected to showcase clbhub.org, a collaborative workforce and career pathway platform designed to connect workers, students, employers, educators and training opportunities into one ecosystem.
The event is intended to kick off collaboration rather than serve as a one-day event. Planned outcomes include monthly cohorts and face-to-face working groups focused on AI learning, workforce transition, business adoption, education collaboration and community readiness, organizers said.
“Technology alone will not determine success,” Michitson said. “Collaboration, relationships, and shared learning will. The communities that prepare together will be the communities that succeed together.”
Katie Cook, Melinda Barrett, the Economic Development Task Force and local education and workforce partners were all credited in helping move the initiative forward.
More information and registration details are available through the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at haverhillchamber.com.
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