Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2026 - Ryan Hundt and Ingrid Tighe - #MPC26

Chris Holman speaks with Ryan Hundt and Ingrid Tighe, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association, and Ingrid Tighe, President of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), joined host Chris Holman at the Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss AI integration in Michigan's manufacturing workforce. Tighe described MMTC's work helping small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt AI tools for practical applications like predictive maintenance, vision management systems, and operational efficiency, while Hundt highlighted findings from a recent report showing that 15 of 16 Michigan Works regions have seen significant growth in AI-related skills appearing in employer job postings. However, Hundt also flagged a significant gap in training infrastructure, noting that roughly 85% of programs on the state's eligible training provider list do not include AI in their curriculum, creating a mismatch between employer expectations and available workforce development resources. Both agreed that Michigan Works and MMTC need to work closely together to close that gap, ensuring that workers are trained for high-demand, high-wage careers that incorporate AI competencies. » Visit MBN website: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: http://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: http://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/