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Blog | 6 min read
Local group positions the region as the most AI-ready city in the country
June 6, 2025
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the workforce and economy, AI Ready RVA is stepping up to ensure the region’s people, businesses and institutions aren’t just keeping pace but leading the charge. The initiative is on a mission to cultivate AI literacy across the Greater Richmond region. With a growing number of strategic partners, the nonprofit is uniquely focused not on AI development, but on the user.
At the helm is William Willis, board chair and lifelong Richmonder, whose career spans nonprofits and tech startups.
William’s roots in Richmond run deep. “Being able to see how Richmond has evolved over the years, and now being in the middle of one of the most transformative moments in tech, I feel a responsibility to help our community navigate this change in a way that’s equitable and exciting,” he said.
“Our goal is to make Richmond the most AI-ready city in the world. That means preparing our workforce, yes, but it also means building a culture of curiosity, responsibility and confidence.”
William Willis, AI Ready RVA board chair
At its core, AI Ready RVA is about making AI knowledge and tools more accessible, particularly for people who may not see themselves as part of the traditional tech pipeline. Whether it’s a small business owner trying to streamline operations or a local nonprofit wanting to improve how they serve clients, AI Ready RVA is building resources to meet them where they are.
William said that his team’s goal is to make AI more understandable and approachable. “People may think it’s robots or something way out there, but once they see how it can save them time or money, they realize it’s something they can actually use.”
Empowering people, not replacing them
Since its launch, AI Ready RVA has deployed seven diverse learning cohorts—from health care professionals and veterans to women in AI, students, marketers, and educators. Each cohort gathers regularly to explore AI applications in their field, demystify the tools, and build peer support for ongoing learning.
The approach is grounded in equity and access. For a small fee, participants can attend all events, gain access to online learning platforms, and connect with a community of local AI learners. With support from funders and corporate partners, the organization is working to remove financial and technical barriers to participation.
More than just skill-building, AI Ready RVA is sparking a cultural shift from fear to optimism. Participants are discovering how AI can be used as a thinking partner, a creative collaborator, and a force multiplier, not a replacement for their skilled expertise.
Building the region’s competitive edge
AI is the fastest-growing technology in human history, and the Richmond region has a rare opportunity to embrace that momentum and use it to fuel local innovation, workforce readiness, and economic growth.
William knows that AI is changing rapidly and that staying ahead will require continual adaptation. “By the time you build something and train it, six months later you’ve got to build something new. Business changes.”
AI Ready RVA envisions a future where Richmond leads not just in adoption, but in ethical, human-centered integration of AI across sectors.
That’s why the team is focused not just on technical tools, but on community partnerships and long-term infrastructure to keep the region learning and leading. These connections include thought-leadership panels with Leadership Metro Richmond on AI’s role in the nonprofit and business sectors, a breakout session at the Henrico County Leadership Conference, and participation in Sandbox’s corporate retreat, which helped engage decision-makers across industries.
To scale, the initiative needs more regional partners, sustainable funding, and continued public engagement. But its early traction and support from local residents, companies, and institutions proves that Greater Richmond is ready to rise to the challenge.
Creating a local resource
William and his team are working to build an ecosystem. They’re connecting with companies that have a direct stake in the AI revolution. “We want to make sure we’re working with the power companies, the data centers and those building AI,” he said. “How can we not only help educate people, but also support the companies building these tools here locally?”
The initiative is already laying the groundwork for long-term impact by launching an AI incubator task force, forging partnerships with regional employers, and developing a structured network of funders and corporate backers. Through active collaborations with RVATech—including presence at tech expos and panel events—AI Ready RVA is elevating the conversation and helping ensure Richmond remains competitive and connected.
A standout example is its recent work with VCU’s Division of Community Engagement on “AI as the Bridge: Strengthening Community Engagement Through Responsible Innovation”—a project that explores how universities and communities can co-create responsible AI solutions.
“We need some partners to step up and help us, not only with their knowledge, but with helping us shape our roadmaps,” William said. “A lot of this is going to come down to sustaining momentum and making sure the community has continued access as things evolve.”
His vision also includes creating a local-first mindset when it comes to AI adoption. “When you’re building an AI tool in Richmond, let’s make sure Richmond knows about it. So, when they go shopping for an AI tool, they shop local before they go national.”
Leading with an ethical mindset
William emphasized that access and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but part of the DNA of the project. “People tell us all the time they thought AI was out of reach, and then they come to a session and realize they’re already using it without knowing. That’s when it clicks.”
In the end, it all comes back to people.
“It’s about giving folks the confidence to use AI in a way that makes their lives better,” Willis said. “This isn’t just for big companies or tech insiders, this is for everyone.” And with AI Ready RVA, Richmond is taking bold steps to make that future real and reachable.
