Nonprofit launching
AI learning platform
A newly released survey by Walton family-backed Heartland Forward showed that 56% of respondents in the nation's midsection said they have a low understanding of how to use artificial intelligence professionally.
The poll, conducted for Heartland Forward by AI pioneering firm Aaru, also found that fewer than 1% of respondents felt highly proficient in using AI tools at work.
About 2,000 people across 20 states responded to the survey.
As a result of these and other findings, Heartland Forward has partnered with Stemuli, an education technology company, to develop an AI-powered learning platform for rural students and entrepreneurs.
The platform will use a video game approach to help speed learning and increase retention, Heartland Forward said in a news release.
Angie Cooper, president and chief operating officer of the Bentonville nonprofit, said it "wants to ensure that the heartland has the opportunity to lead the nation in harnessing innovation and AI's potential to transform education and our future workforce for good."
-- Serenah McKay
Location rule revived
for federal program
The Small Business Administration on Tuesday said it will reinstate a rule that requires participants in the agency's 8(a) Business Development Program to have an office in the geographic area where they are bidding on federal construction contracts.
The 8(a) program is a federal contracting and training program for experienced small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged. During the covid-19 pandemic, the agency temporarily suspended the place of business rule for small business 8(a) construction contractors affected by widespread economic shutdowns.
Starting Oct. 1, the agency will require construction contractors to have an office within their project's geographical boundary; have at least one full-time employee physically present; and ensure that the office is not a portable trailer, temporary unit or virtual address.
"Those that seek to build in America should have boots on the ground in America," agency Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a news release.
-- Cooper Gant
Arkansas Index rises
1.08 points to 817.41
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Tuesday at 817.41, up 1.08 points.
"Stocks finished lower on Tuesday, after growing concern that a quick resolution to Israel-Iran hostilities is fading, as President Trump raised the heat, calling on Iran to "unconditionally surrender" along with several other threats on Truth Social," said Chris Harkins, managing director at Raymond James & Associates.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
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