(September 15, 2025 8:00 AM ET) The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce announces the addition of panelists and an additional special guest during the AIQ Workshop, a hands-on, no-nonsense experience designed to demystify AI and empower attendees to leverage its incredible potential, presented by Red Letter. Business leaders from around the state, entrepreneurs, creatives, and students are invited to attend this 1-day transformative experience, designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the age of AI, featuring experts from both Google and Microsoft.
Both AIQ Workshop facilitators are native to Jackson, Michigan. The all-star line-up features Aidan Sova, Regional Product Lead of AI-Powered Ads at Google, who also serves as Trustee and Vice-President of Ann Arbor District Library. Also facilitating the day will be Amy Hinchey, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft.
The Artificial Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) is the ability to understand, adapt to, and effectively apply AI technologies in real-world scenarios, blending AI literacy, strategic thinking, ethical awareness, and practical adaptability to help you thrive in a tech-driven world. Participants will experience hands-on training in AI literacy, prompt engineering, practical AI applications and hands-on work sessions and real experience for an immediate ROI. A lively panel discussion will feature additional tech visionaries, business leaders, and ethics strategists as they discuss AI’s opportunities, risks, and responsibilities.
The first of three panelists includes a local connection, Chris Debenham. Debenham is the Executive Director of Applications & Analytics at Consumers Energy. With over 20 years of information technology and background in Data Center Infrastructure and Collaboration systems, he most recently implemented a system of delivery focused agile transformation to attract software engineers to downtown Jackson and sits on an advisory board for the Michigan Council of Women in Technology.
Alongside Debenham on the panel is Patrick Kinnicutt, chairperson for the Department of Computer Science at Central Michigan University. Kinnicutt specializes in research related to spatial statistics/modeling, visualization, scientific computing, data mining and image processing.
Rounding out the panel, also from Central Michigan University, is Matthew Katz Professor in Philosophy. Katz’s central focus is on artificial intelligence and self-awareness and has presented on publications related to analog and digital representation, rethinking the language of thought and other language thought topics – with a research interest in both philosophy of mind and psychology and epistemology.
Special guest Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist II will offer the closing remarks during the AIQ workshop. Gilchrist received his first computer at age five and setting up a computer lab in a Detroit community recreation center using computers that he built himself at age 16, studying computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, graduating with honors, and later had a successful career as a software engineer at Microsoft, helping to build SharePoint into the fastest-growing product in the company’s history. Upon returning home to Detroit, Gilchrist worked in local government to build systems that made the government more responsive, transparent, and accountable to city residents.
The event will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the American 1 Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St., Jackson, MI 49201. Jackson Chamber members are invited participate at $295 per attendee, as well as non-Chamber members at a cost of $395. Smart 6 – Table Packages are also available for $1,500 (Includes reserved seating for 6 guests).
Further information and tickets are available for this event at www.JacksonChamber.org.
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