AI in Iowa: How Google, Microsoft, and local businesses are driving innovation

In the heart of America, amidst rolling cornfields and burgeoning tech hubs, Iowa is quietly emerging as a crucible for the artificial intelligence revolution. From the smallest coffee shops to sprawling industrial giants, businesses across the Hawkeye State are increasingly embracing the transformative power of AI, seeking to optimize operations, personalize customer experiences, and drive unprecedented growth.  Industry leaders like Google and Microsoft, both of which have established significant data center footprints in Iowa, are playing a crucial role in fueling this technological surge. They are not just providing the infrastructure but also actively engaging with local businesses, demonstrating the versatility of AI tools and fostering a deeper understanding of their potential applications.  "People say what is this? Why should I get excited as a business, established or a start-up? AI is a once-in-a-generation type of technology, providing a set of tools and assets that can pivot or really move you into this next phase of productivity," says Allie Hopkins, area lead for Google's Iowa and Nebraska data centers. Ms. Hopkins emphasizes that AI is not a monolithic entity but rather a diverse toolkit applicable to a wide spectrum of industries. It empowers businesses to be more creative, gain deeper insights into their operations, and analyze complex problems to develop innovative solutions. "How do I develop a business plan? How to get products to market? It's unlocking capabilities we didn't have access to before we got AI. It's an exciting time for everyone to be moving into a new generation of tech," she asserts.  Des Moines-based BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages, a rapidly growing coffee company with a national presence, exemplifies how Iowa businesses are successfully leveraging Google's AI products. "An Iowa homegrown company with across-the-nation impact," BLK & Bold utilizes AI to refine its business strategies and expand its reach. Ms. Hopkins explains, "It helps them craft their message, to know how to cater specifically to who they are targeting. If they were doing it the old way, it would take much longer."  AI is also making significant strides in enhancing workplace safety within Iowa's manufacturing sector. Mike O'Donnell, director for Iowa State University's Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), highlights MakuSafe, a Des Moines-based manufacturer of EHS (environment, health, safety) wearables, as a prime example. MakuSafe deploys AI on shop floors to predict and mitigate safety risks, utilizing sensory data to identify potential hazards such as tripping, excessive noise, and poor air quality. Mr. O'Donnell notes that MakuSafe's technology is being implemented at a variety of companies across the state, underscoring its broad applicability and impact.  Beyond urban centers and industrial settings, AI is revolutionizing Iowa's agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the state's economy. Mary Snapp, vice president of strategic initiatives, office of the president, for Microsoft, emphasizes the transformative role of AI-enabled drones, robotics, and autonomous vehicles in modern farming practices. She highlights the significant advancements in weather prediction, stating, "The big advancement in ag is predicting weather with far better accuracy. When to plant, harvest and shield animals." This improved accuracy empowers farmers to make more informed decisions, optimizing yields and minimizing risks.  Ms. Snapp further emphasizes the broader implications of AI beyond agriculture, noting its potential to accelerate progress in diverse fields of scientific research. "In material science, we can increase battery life by finding new materials. It would otherwise take years and years of testing," she explains. She also references North Carolina-based Pairwise, a genetic editing start-up that utilized AI research to develop novel agricultural products, including thornless blackberries and mustard greens with a milder flavor profile.

Iowa's approach to AI skill development

Recognizing that widespread AI adoption requires a skilled workforce, Iowais investing in training and education programs to equip its citizens with the necessary expertise. Community colleges and universities across the state are developing curricula focused on AI and related fields, such as data science, machine learning, and software engineering. These programs aim to provide individuals with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy. Iowa State University, with its strong emphasis on agriculture and technology, is playing a leading role in this effort. The university offers a range of courses and research opportunities in AI, attracting students from across the state and beyond. Additionally, CIRAS provides workshops and consulting services to help Iowa businesses understand and implement AI solutions. Furthermore, collaborations between industry and academia are crucial to ensuring that training programs align with the evolving needs of the job market. Companies like Google and Microsoft are partnering with educational institutions to develop specialized training modules and provide students with access to cutting-edge AI tools and technologies.

Guardrails for responsible AI development

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into various aspects of society, policy makers are grappling with how to regu late so that they mitigate potential risks, and ensure responsible AI development, and harness AI’s opportunities. These policy discussions encompass a range of issues, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the ethical implications of AI decision-making.  In Iowa, state legislators are beginning to explore the potential need for legislation related to AI. These discussions are still in their early stages but are likely to intensify as AI adoption accelerates. Key considerations include ensuring transparency in AI algorithms, protecting individuals' privacy in the context of AI-driven data collection, and preventing the use of AI for discriminatory purposes.  At the national level, the federal government is also engaged in efforts to develop a comprehensive framework for AI governance. This includes initiatives aimed at fostering innovation while also addressing potential risks. Collaboration between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and academic experts will be essential to crafting effective policies that promote the responsible development and deployment of AI.  “We definitely believe there needs to be regulation,” said Google’s Ms. Hopkins. “We need it to be smart and done in the right way. We want to be part of that conversation. It’s an important part of AI’s evolution … What we want to support is a policy agenda focused on unlocking opportunity, promoting re  sponsibility, protecting U.S. security. The details remain to be fleshed out.” “We talk about it as common-sense regulation,” said Microsoft’s Ms. Snapp. “Let’s make sure we are adopting regulation around things like discriminatory practices in housing, lending and college admissions. Think about AI aspects of existing things, think about cases of highest risk, where do we not want AI involved without human oversight? We’d love to see regulation that is standardized across states or international boundaries.” 

Iowa's AI-powered future

Despite the growing wave of AI adoption, Mr. O'Donnell cautions that not all Iowa businesses are on board. He notes, "There is a significant and varied response to AI in Iowa manufacturing. A large contingent of companies aren't doing anything with AI and have no intention of doing anything with it." This resistance to adoption may stem from various factors, including a lack of understanding of AI's potential, concerns about implementation costs, or apprehension about the technology's long-term impact on the workforce. However, as AI continues to mature and its benefits become more tangible, it is likely that even hesitant businesses will eventually recognize the need to embrace this transformative technology to remain competitive. The examples of Iowa businesses already reaping the rewards of AI adoption serve as compelling case studies, demonstrating the potential for increased efficiency, improved decision-making, and the development of innovative products and services.  The rise of AI in Iowa represents not just a technological shift, but a fundamental transformation of the state's economic landscape. As busi nesses across all sectors integrate AI into their operations, Iowa is poised to become a hub of innovation and a leader in the burgeoning age of artificial intelligence. The journey may be just beginning, but the direc tion is clear: AI is not just the future of business in Iowa – it's the present. As Iowa continues to cultivate talent, foster innovation, and address the policy challenges associated with AI, the state is well-positioned to reap the full benefits of this transformative technology and solidify its place as a leader in the AI revolution.  Reporter’s note: As an experiment, this story was written with assistance from Google’s Gemini AI tool and completely independently from Google's participation in this story. I personally interviewed the three sources quoted and wrote a 2,100-word piece before instructing Gemini to rewrite it as a 1,000-1,500 word article. Much of the verbiage is my own or comes from direct quotes by the sources. The headline and some sentences, however, are totally AI-generated, such as “In the heart of America, amidst rolling cornfields and burgeoning tech hubs, Iowa is quietly emerging as a crucible for the artificial intelligence revolution” and the entire final paragraph.  In its first two attempts, Gemini shortened the article to 800 words, omitting references to policy and regulation. On the third try, after I changed the prompt to specifically direct that a discussion of policy and regulation be included, AI delivered something close to the finished product you see here. I manually added quotes AI-omitted quotes from Ms. Hopkins and Ms. Snapp back into the policy section. –Emery Styron

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This article was originally published in the Iowa Association of Business and Industry‘s (ABI) Business Monthly newsletter, which is distributed in print in the Corridor Business Journal and the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal. ABI has served as Iowa’s unified voice for business since 1903. Their mission is to nurture a favorable business, economic, governmental and social climate within the state of Iowa so citizens can have the opportunity to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.