Steve Rao: The AI revolution must include Main Street :: WRAL.com

Source Domain: www.wral.com

Throughout my years in
public service, economic development and technology advocacy, I have believed
that North Carolina’s greatest strength is our ability to bring people together
around big ideas.

This energetic spirit
created Research Triangle Park more than six decades ago. Visionary leaders
such as the late Governor James B. Hunt
built upon the foundation established by the state’s early innovators and
championed a long-term vision that transformed North Carolina from a largely
agricultural economy into a global center of innovation. Their leadership
helped attract world-class companies, universities, entrepreneurs and talent.
Today, we stand at another transformational moment: the rise of artificial intelligence.

North Carolina has an opportunity not just to participate in the
AI revolution, but to lead it.

We already know that AI
is transforming our economy every day. Countless conferences, summits,
podcasts and panel discussions remind us of this fact almost daily. At some
point, however, the conversation must move beyond simply talking about AI and
toward helping businesses, entrepreneurs, and workers harness its benefits in
practical and meaningful ways.

The real question we
should be focused on is whether small businesses and entrepreneurs will be
empowered to benefit from this transformation, or whether the advantages will
accrue only to the largest organizations.

For years, I have written
about the importance of supporting small businesses, which remain the backbone
of North Carolina’s economy. From our downtown retailers and family-owned
manufacturers to professional service firms, restaurants, startups and emerging
technology companies, small businesses…

Source