Heartland Forward, a Bentonville-based think tank focused on economic growth in America’s heartland, has partnered with Stemuli, a Dallas-based education technology firm, to develop gamified artificial intelligence (AI) curricula for students and entrepreneurs in the central U. S. This initiative aims to boost AI literacy and career readiness amid projections that automation could impact nearly 30% of work hours nationwide by 2030. The partnership will be officially announced at the upcoming Heartland Summit—an exclusive event gathering 350 policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders from 20 central states to discuss economic development, innovation, and technology-driven growth. Central to the effort is a gamified AI curriculum that uses interactive, game-like interfaces to engage learners, especially in rural communities that have historically lagged in technology adoption. This approach is designed to eliminate barriers to technology literacy and inspire diverse populations to pursue AI-related fields. Stemuli’s platform has already shown success; Texas P-TECH schools employing its technology have reported that graduates earn substantially more than their peers, demonstrating the program’s positive impact on workforce readiness and economic mobility. While financial specifics of the partnership remain undisclosed, Heartland Forward describes the investment as “significant, ” highlighting their strong commitment to quickly develop and deploy AI education aligned with evolving labor market demands.

By integrating AI training into accessible, engaging formats, the collaboration aims to equip learners with skills essential for thriving amidst increasing automation. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to fortify the heartland’s economic resilience by cultivating a tech-savvy workforce prepared to adapt to technological disruptions. Enhancing AI fluency is both a pathway to individual career advancement and a crucial element of regional economic development. The Heartland Summit serves as a key platform for unveiling such transformative initiatives, fostering cross-sector collaboration to address the region’s unique challenges and opportunities. In summary, the Heartland Forward–Stemuli partnership represents a progressive approach to education and workforce development through gamified AI learning. It promises to democratize access to advanced knowledge, empower a new generation of learners and entrepreneurs, and support sustained economic vitality across the central United States amid the ongoing technological revolution.