Central Ohio Digital Inclusion Summit

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About this Event

Central Ohio Digital Inclusion Summit

Join us in person for the Central Ohio Digital Inclusion Summit, part of National Digital Inclusion Week 2026. Together, we’ll look beyond where digital equity stands today and explore how Central Ohio can prepare now for the AI-driven changes ahead, across key sectors such as education, workforce, and healthcare.

This event will bring together community leaders, non-profit partners, and local digital equity practitioners to spotlight the collective impact our community is making towards closing the digital divide in Central Ohio.

Highlights include:

• Engaging keynote presentation on where communities are headed as technology evolves and how we set Central Ohio up to benefit from what’s next
• Lightning round spotlights on local, high-impact initiatives
• Breakout Sessions on the future of digital inclusion across education, workforce, and healthcare
• Networking lunch to build new connections across sectors

Why attend?

Digital access is economic infrastructure. As AI reshapes how we learn, earn, work, and play, this Summit is a chance to move from reacting to today’s gaps to preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities and to help shape Central Ohio’s leadership in digital readiness.

We encourage you to invite colleagues, community partners, and leaders in your network who are invested in workforce development, healthcare access, education, or community prosperity.

Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:45 AM
Welcome

Info: Hear from Interim CEO Corinne Burger on the importance of public-private partnerships and how collaboration can drive meaningful change for our community. We’ll then turn it over to Council Member Nick Bankston, who will share the city’s perspective and situate the Summit within Columbus’s broader digital equity priorities, reinforcing the city’s commitment to closing the digital divide alongside our coalition.

🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:45 AM
Keynote Speaker- David Staley

Info: Hear from our first keynote speaker, David Staley, a history professor at The Ohio State University. He will explore the agentic economy: How AI is reshaping work, services, and access, and how it could deepen or help close the digital divide. It will connect the risks facing both high-skill workers and residents with limited digital skills, while focusing on AI fluency and community preparation as ways to ride future technology waves.

🕑: 09:45 AM - 12:10 PM
Breakout sessions + Workshop

Info: Brayan Pabon | Smart Columbus
Explore how entry-level jobs may evolve and what skills and support workers will need.
Lisa Chambers | CEO, TechCorps
Explore how organizations can prepare for AI while promoting responsible and ethical use, with a focus on K–12 students.
Dr. Cynthia Sieck | Director, Health Outcomes Research, Dayton Children’s Hospital
Explore digital inclusion as a social determinant of health and how AI is shaping access, trust, and privacy in healthcare.

🕑: 12:40 PM - 12:50 PM
Lightning Round Presentations

Info: Hear from community partners during our Lightning Round presentations, featuring quick, 3-minute spotlights on innovative ideas, programs, and work happening across Central Ohio. Presenters will share insights and perspectives on the future of digital inclusion and how we can work together to prepare our community for what’s ahead.

🕑: 12:50 PM - 01:00 PM
Closing Remarks