Honolulu AI Summit: Building a Workforce for the Future
The fifth annual Hawaiʻi AI and Cloud Innovation Summit brought together hundreds of leaders from various sectors at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the state's economy and jobs. Organized by the TRUE Initiative, in collaboration with the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC), and the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, the event focused on developing "AI-ready talent" and leveraging local infrastructure, data, and training.
The summit featured keynote remarks from Peter Schwartz, Salesforce's chief futurist, along with presentations and panel discussions involving prominent figures from government, industry, academia, and the nonprofit sector.
"The innovation we saw today confirms that Hawaiʻi is well-positioned to lead in the practical application of AI," said Nicole Cacal, executive director of the TRUE Initiative. "By bringing together diverse leaders, we're fostering relationships and knowledge-sharing to translate emerging technologies into tangible benefits for the state's organizations and residents."
Lynelle Marble, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative, emphasized the importance of self-reliance in AI, investing in people, building local capabilities, and ensuring Hawaiʻi has a voice in shaping technology decisions.
"Our relationships, trust, and shared responsibility are valuable assets," she noted. "They can guide the development and use of AI to create lasting benefits for Hawaiʻi's people and communities."
DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka highlighted the summit's five-year journey of bringing leaders together to move Hawaiʻi forward. "This year's conversations demonstrated a readiness to transition from awareness to action," he said. "The challenge ahead is to build AI capabilities that strengthen our economy, support local talent, and align with Hawaiʻi's unique values and priorities."
Organizers viewed the public-private partnerships discussed at the summit as a means to help organizations acquire the tools, governance frameworks, and skilled workers needed to embrace AI responsibly. The HTDC, as a state agency under DBEDT, plays a pivotal role in promoting and developing Hawaiʻi's technology industry, while TRUE Initiative is dedicated to accelerating technology adoption in the state.