Welcome to the Revolution!
The ‘open-sourced, ✪un-conference✪’ on all things AI
Great Lakes AI Week includes three days of educational and engaging programming that features keynote speakers, fireside chats, panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and plenty of networking opportunities.
About Great Lakes AI Week
Great Lakes AI Week brings enterprise AI leaders from Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and beyond to Northwest Ohio for the region's definitive artificial intelligence summit. Fortune 1000 executives, innovative startups, and academic pioneers converge at BGSU for two days of actionable insights, hands-on workshops, and game-changing connections.
Our Mission: Transform the Great Lakes region into the Midwest's AI powerhouse by connecting enterprise leaders with proven solutions in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and financial services—turning our industrial legacy into AI leadership.
Who Should Attend?
Enterprise leaders shaping digital transformation
Startup founders building the next wave of AI-driven products
Academic researchers pushing the boundaries of machine learning
Government and policy makers influencing AI adoption
Anyone who has an interest in AI and building community
What Sets Us Apart?
Actionable Insights: Practical case studies and live demonstrations
Networking Power: Curated opportunities to connect with peers and partners
Inclusive Community: A platform for diverse voices and perspectives in AI
Human Centered: An AI focused and people driven un-conference.
The Location
Bowling Green State University
Great Lakes AI Week 2025 takes over Bowling Green State University—strategically positioned between Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland, and Columbus. BGSU's tech-forward facilities and innovation labs provide the perfect backdrop for enterprise AI transformation.
Modern lecture halls for keynotes. Breakout spaces for deep dives. Tree-lined campus for those conversations that change everything. Just 20 minutes from Toledo Express Airport, 90 minutes from Detroit Metro, and accessible from every major Midwest market.
This isn't just convenient—it's intentional. Where the heartland meets the cutting edge.
Not Your Average Conference.
Unrivaled Networking
Meet the innovators and leaders powering the Great Lakes’ AI ecosystem.
Real practitioners, not theorists - The people on stage run AI at Ford, Progressive, Nationwide, and Cleveland Clinic. They'll tell you what actually works.
Conversations that convert - VIP receptions and curated meetups where you skip the small talk and get to the partnerships, hires, and deals.
Regional power, national impact - Connect with decision-makers from Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh who control enterprise AI budgets.
Built for action - Leave with implementation blueprints, not just inspiration. Plus direct access to the vendors and talent who can execute them.
The Midwest advantage - Where manufacturing expertise meets AI innovation. No hype, just results.
Real Innovation, REAL IMPACT
Experience how the Great Lakes region is driving AI breakthroughs that matter.
See what's shipping, not what's promised - Live demos from companies actually deploying AI across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania factories and headquarters.
Steal the playbooks that work - Case studies from Procter & Gamble, Sherwin-Williams, Progressive, and other regional giants who've moved past pilots to production.
Leave Monday-ready - Actionable blueprints you can implement immediately, not theoretical frameworks that die in committee.
Join the movement - The Midwest isn't watching the AI revolution—we're building it. With real manufacturing data, real supply chains, and real results.
Form the partnerships that matter - The connections made here turn into vendor contracts, joint ventures, and talent acquisitions that reshape the region's economy.
FRequently Asked Questions
When is Great Lakes AI Week 2025?
November 4-6, 2025. Community Day kicks off Monday evening (November 4), followed by the AI Leadership Summit (November 5) and AI for Business Summit (November 6).
How much do tickets cost?
General Admission: normally $149 (Early Bird: $99). VIP Pass: normally $349 (Early Bird: only $299)
Community Day on November 4 is FREE and open to everyone—no ticket required. Register Here
What's included with my ticket?
All keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and expo hall access. Continental breakfast and lunch provided on November 5-6. VIP tickets add exclusive happy hour with all speakers and sponsors after their sessions (4-6 PM on November 5th), VIP check-in, and exclusive VIP/speaker lounge access. Parking is free for all attendees.
What's the agenda?
Tuesday, Nov 4: Community Day - Free networking happy hour (5-7 PM)
Wednesday, Nov 5: AI Leadership Summit - Full day programming (8 AM-3:30 PM) + VIP Happy Hour (4-6 PM)
Thesday, Nov 6: AI for Business Summit - Women in AI Breakfast (8-10 AM), Full programming (10 AM-3:30 PM)
Who's speaking?
Confirmed speakers include enterprise AI leaders from Amazon FinTech, Fortune 500 companies, and regional innovators. Full speaker lineup announcement coming soon. Expect 70+ speakers across keynotes, panels, and workshops.
Should I get a hotel?
Yes, if you're traveling from outside the Toledo/Bowling Green area. We have room blocks at nearby hotels with conference rates. BGSU is 90 minutes from Detroit, 2 hours from Cleveland—some attendees do make it a day trip, but staying overnight lets you maximize networking opportunities.
What should I wear?
Business casual is the standard. Think polished but practical—you'll be walking between sessions. The November weather in Northwest Ohio can be unpredictable, so bring layers.
Is there an expo hall?
Yes—featuring AI vendors, startups, and technology partners showcasing enterprise solutions. Open throughout both conference days with dedicated expo time during breaks.
Are meals included?
Lunch and refreshments are included with your ticket on November 5-6.. VIP pass holders get access to additional happy hours with premium food and beverage.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking is available on the BGSU campus for all attendees. Detailed parking instructions will be sent before the event.
What are the best AI conferences near Detroit in 2025?
Great Lakes AI Week (November 4-6, 2025) is just 90 minutes from Detroit at BGSU in Bowling Green, Ohio. Unlike Detroit AI Summit or Michigan AI Symposium that focus solely on automotive, we bring together AI leaders from automotive, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Ford, GM, and Stellantis executives are expected to attend, plus you'll network with AI professionals from Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Chicago—expanding your connections beyond Southeast Michigan.
Are there any AI conferences in Cleveland or Northeast Ohio?
While Cleveland hosts several tech meetups, Great Lakes AI Week is positioned to be the region's premier enterprise AI conference—just 2 hours from downtown Cleveland. We're bringing together leaders from Cleveland Clinic, Progressive, Sherwin-Williams, and KeyBank. More comprehensive than Cleveland Tech Week or Ohio AI Forum, we're uniting the entire Great Lakes AI ecosystem including confirmed speakers from Amazon's FinTech team.
What AI and machine learning events are happening in the Midwest in November 2025?
Great Lakes AI Week (November 4-6) is set to be the Midwest's premier enterprise AI gathering, expecting 500+ leaders from Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis. Unlike coastal conferences, we focus on practical AI implementation in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture—industries that power the Midwest economy.
Is there an AI conference between Chicago and Detroit?
Yes—Great Lakes AI Week sits perfectly between major markets at BGSU in Northwest Ohio. 4 hours from Chicago, 90 minutes from Detroit, making it the ideal meeting point for Midwest AI professionals. Easier to reach than flying to San Francisco for AI Summit or NYC for AI World, with enterprise-caliber speakers joining us locally.
What's the difference between Great Lakes AI Week and Columbus AI Summit?
While Columbus AI Summit focuses on Ohio's capital region, Great Lakes AI Week draws from the entire Great Lakes megaregion—Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. We're 2 hours north of Columbus with representation planned from Detroit automotive, Cleveland healthcare, and Pittsburgh robotics sectors. We're the first conference designed to unite all Great Lakes AI communities.
Are there AI conferences for manufacturing and industrial companies?
Great Lakes AI Week is launching as the premier AI conference for industrial and manufacturing leaders. Unlike generic tech conferences, we focus on AI applications in automotive (Detroit), steel (Pittsburgh), glass (Toledo), chemicals (Cleveland), and advanced manufacturing (Milwaukee). We're targeting case studies and speakers from industrial giants across the region.
Can I drive to Great Lakes AI Week from Ann Arbor/University of Michigan?
Absolutely—BGSU is just 80 minutes south of Ann Arbor via US-23. We expect University of Michigan researchers, Ford engineers from nearby Dearborn, and Ann Arbor startup founders to make it a day trip. Free parking on campus makes it more convenient than flying to coastal AI conferences.
What Ohio AI conferences should I attend in 2025?
Great Lakes AI Week is positioned to be Ohio's largest AI gathering, strategically located in Northwest Ohio to serve Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, and Akron markets. More comprehensive than regional meetups, we're featuring enterprise leaders from across Ohio's Fortune 500 companies.
Is Great Lakes AI Week worth the drive from Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee?
We're designing the conference specifically for regional professionals—Pittsburgh (3 hours), Indianapolis (3 hours), and Milwaukee (5 hours) are all within driving distance. The focus on practical applications specific to Rust Belt transformation and Great Lakes economic development makes the drive worthwhile compared to generic national conferences.
What AI networking events connect Michigan and Ohio tech communities?
Great Lakes AI Week is the first conference designed specifically to bridge Michigan's automotive AI with Ohio's insurance, healthcare, and logistics AI sectors. Our Community Day happy hour and VIP receptions are structured to create cross-border partnerships between Detroit startups and Cleveland enterprises, Ann Arbor researchers and Columbus corporations.
Who is organizing Great Lakes AI Week?
Great Lakes AI Week is produced by the Enterprise Technology Association (ETA), the organization behind Columbus AI Week, Louisville AI Week, and other regional enterprise AI conferences. We're bringing our proven format to Northwest Ohio to serve the broader Great Lakes region for the first time.