AI for All: How Georgia Is Building an Inclusive Future Through Innovation

At Atlanta AI Week 2025, a powerful panel discussion challenged attendees to rethink what equitable AI adoption really looks like. The session, focused on inclusive innovation and economic development, wasn’t just a showcase of cutting-edge ideas—it was a call to action.

Moderated by Grant Wainscott, the conversation brought together voices from public policy, entrepreneurship, and community development to explore a critical question: How do we make sure AI lifts everyone up—not just the tech-enabled few?

🏛️ Innovation as a Catalyst for Economic Growth

Debra Lam, Executive Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (PIN), opened the session by framing AI as a tool for community-driven economic growth. Her message was clear: innovation can no longer be siloed.

"You don’t innovate just to innovate. You innovate to grow communities."

PIN's model of public-private partnerships ensures shared risk and shared reward. Through over 70 active projects across Georgia, they’ve demonstrated that when you invest in both financial and social capital, the ROI multiplies—both economically and socially. For every $1 invested, $4.58 is returned to the ecosystem.

🌎 Georgia's AI Edge: From Policy to Practice

Amol Naik, a public policy veteran, described Georgia as one of the most business-friendly states in the U.S., with a deep foundation in infrastructure, data centers, and startup ecosystems.

"We're all accountants at the start of Excel. Are you embracing pivot tables or clinging to calculators?"

He emphasized that AI adoption must go beyond elite circles. For AI to truly be a tool of economic development, it must be accessible to everyone, from corporate leaders to the everyday entrepreneur.

Panel of Georgia leaders speaking to the state's opportunity to be an AI leader and hub for growth.

🔧 Building a Policy Framework for AI Adoption

Nikhil Rathi, Chief AI Officer for the State of Georgia, explained how the state is proactively creating responsible AI policies and use cases in government. Through AI labs, public-private partnerships, and pilot programs with over 25 tech companies, the state is embedding AI into public services with a focus on responsibility and transparency.

"We’re not replacing employees. We’re augmenting them."

His team is even exploring frameworks for AI agents as virtual employees—a bold step toward reimagining service delivery at scale.

💻 AI Enablement at the Startup Level

Barbara Jones, founder of a fast-scaling AI company, shared how generative and agentic AI tools are multiplying her team’s productivity without replacing jobs. Her developers are coding in minutes what used to take weeks.

"AI isn’t replacing my team. It’s empowering them to do 3x the work."

Her story is a compelling case for AI adoption as enablement, not replacement. For emerging companies, integrating generative AI isn’t optional—it’s essential to remain competitive.

🗣️ Innovation Must Be Inclusive

Shakiri Murrain, from the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE), brought the conversation full circle with a powerful reminder: progress without inclusivity is just another form of exclusion.

"Mr. Russell built one of the top Black-owned construction firms in America. And yet, he might have been left behind by AI."

She urged the audience to bring marginalized voices into the AI conversation and ensure underrepresented founders aren’t just included, but equipped. RCIE is actively training staff in generative AI and building internal capacity to support over 600 Black entrepreneurs.

🤝 The Role of Public Feedback in Algorithmic Fairness

The conversation closed on a vital truth: algorithms don’t fix bias—people do.

"AI reflects the data we feed it. And that data reflects our history. We have to challenge the algorithm."

Panelists encouraged everyone, especially women, minorities, and those with different abilities, to actively engage with and provide feedback to AI systems. Because inclusivity in AI isn’t just about access. It’s about ownership of the systems shaping our future.

🔍 Final Takeaways

• Georgia is leading by example, combining policy, entrepreneurship, and public investment to drive inclusive AI adoption.

• AI enablement can 3x productivity without replacing jobs.

• Public-private partnerships are key to scaling responsibly.

• Inclusivity must be embedded in every AI conversation, design, and deployment.

• True innovation is when everyone benefits.

  
  

If AI is going to reshape our economy, it has to include all of us—from policymakers to entrepreneurs, from underrepresented founders to the startup next door.

🔍 Personal Takeaway + Future Outlook

This conversation was a powerful reminder that AI isn’t just about algorithms and automation—it’s about access, opportunity, and equity.

Shakiri Murrain said it best: “AI reflects the data we feed it. And that data reflects our history. We have to challenge the algorithm.” AI doesn’t just reflect data—it reflects us. And if that data is biased, so are the outputs. It’s on all of us to push back, speak up, and shape AI systems that are truly equitable.

What struck me most was how Georgia is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation: not just as a hub for tech innovation, but as a blueprint for inclusive, community-centered progress. With a strong foundation in public-private partnerships, forward-thinking policy, and a diverse, entrepreneurial ecosystem, Georgia isn’t just participating in the AI era—it’s helping define it.

The road ahead is full of possibility—and I’m excited to be part of a state bold enough to make AI work for everyone.

Special thanks to the panelists of the Fireside Chat: "AI as a Catalyst for Regional Economic Growth in Georgia” for an insightful and energizing conversation. Grateful to Grant Wainscott, Nikhil Deshpande, Debra Lam, Amol Naik, and Shakiri Murrain for sharing their expertise and vision on how AI can drive inclusive innovation and economic opportunity across our communities.

This blog is part of a special Atlanta AI Week 2025 recap series. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more insights from the standout sessions, speakers, and conversations that made this event such a turning point for inclusive innovation. There’s so much more to unpack—from emerging tech and policy shifts to real stories of AI in action. Stay tuned—more reflections are on the way.