The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Leads Fellowship Program (BLFP) is convening a one-day event bringing together state and local chamber leaders to explore AI's rapidly evolving impact on communities — from workforce transformation to infrastructure and small business competitiveness. This convening will explore how chamber leaders can become trusted AI readiness hubs in their regions, serving as a launch pad for future convenings of state and local chambers on this topic. 

AI is reshaping industries, skill demands, and community infrastructure at an unprecedented pace, yet many local leaders lack the resources and networks to translate these shifts into actionable strategies. Chambers of commerce are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap — connecting businesses, educators, and policymakers — but they need support to lead effectively. This convening addresses that need head-on. 

The following is a draft agenda intended to give a sense of the convening's scope and structure. Sessions and topics are subject to change as programming is finalized. 

• AI Capabilities & Pace of Change — Grounding participants in what AI can do today and where it's headed 
• AI's Impact on Industries & Skills — How AI adoption is shifting employer skill demands across sectors 
• Future Wheel Activity — Interactive exercise projecting AI's potential ripple effects on local communities 
• Small Business AI Adoption Workshop — How chambers can help small businesses leverage AI tools 
• Workforce Implications: K-12, Upskilling & Reskilling — Aligning education and training pipelines with AI-driven skill needs 
• Community Implications: Infrastructure, Energy & Environment — Non-workforce impacts of AI at the community level
• Action Planning & Next Steps — Fellows map stakeholders, identify channels, and plan community-level AI strategies