MTEC SmartZone hosted its first AI Training Series in May and June 2026. Following our successful Reimagining Leadership Conference in February, MTEC recognized a growing demand for AI-focused training. The region wanted to better understand AI and how to practically apply it in their own businesses and jobs. To meet that need, MTEC developed a two-part training series designed to help attendees confidently navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The first session was held in Houghton in May. It featured two expert presenters who spoke on topics related to AI in ethics, building agents, and how to effectively use the tool.
Athena Stanley, Founder of Athena Global Learning and a speaker at the Houghton session, emphasized the importance of helping Upper Peninsula businesses, saying:
“This training helped small business owners recognize how AI can support their work and increase productivity, while also building awareness of responsible and ethical AI use. That conversation is especially important in the Western Upper Peninsula, where we have tremendous talent and entrepreneurial potential. Helping Yoopers confidently and thoughtfully engage with emerging technologies can strengthen our businesses and contribute to the economic vitality of our region.”
The second training was held in Watersmeet in June. It focused on how to use AI in your small business and best practices for AI prompting. These two sessions helped attendees walk away with practical tools and strategies they could immediately implement into their own organizations and day-to-day work. The impact of these trainings was echoed by Lamont Cleveland, founder of CleverDuck Entertainment:
“We left with a great base and tools to be successful using AI for our business.”
AI is changing the way in which we work, operate businesses, and solve everyday challenges. As this technology continues to grow, it’s important to understand how to effectively use it in organizations of every size and type. Here at MTEC, we want to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizational leaders throughout the Western Upper Peninsula to understand how to use this tool in an effective manner. Our goal is to help businesses embrace new technologies and become confident in using them. By doing so, we hope to support their long-term success in an ever-changing environment.
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About MTEC
Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZone Incubators in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Its mission is to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2003, the MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies, leading to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton and Hancock, Michigan area.
About MEDC
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech start-up companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation, visit michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.