AGP Executive Report

AI & Higher Ed: Educause 2026 in Denver put AI disruption front and center for Ohio-relevant campus leaders, with sessions on AI literacy, cybersecurity, and keeping humans in the loop. Data Centers & Power Politics: Wall Street is growing skeptical of the data center boom as IPO plans stall and investors question valuations—while Ohio remains a key battleground where voters worry about electricity costs and land impacts. State Tech & Payments: Ohio’s Secretary of State launched security-enhanced payment options, adding Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards, and cryptocurrency for faster, more secure transactions. Public Safety Tech: Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon highlighted accessible smoke and CO alarms for deaf and hard-of-hearing families, including visual alerts and vibration under mattresses. Space Education Push: Gov. DeWine formed a steering group for Ohio’s bid to host the U.S. Space Academy, aligning NASA and Wright-Patterson strengths. Life Sciences Jobs: Bayer announced a $2.2B pharma manufacturing campus in New Albany, targeting drug substance and drug product modules starting in 2031 and 2034. Transportation Infrastructure: ODOT and OTIC released the final feasibility study for a proposed US 23/I-71 connector north of Columbus.

AI Data Centers in Ohio Politics: President Trump defended AI data centers at a rally near Dayton, warning that if the U.S. turns them away, projects “will go to China,” while voters and lawmakers argue about electricity costs and local impacts; Power-Bill Fight in the Senate: Senate Democrats blocked Ohio Sen. Jon Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act, which would have required data-center developers to help cover the power and infrastructure they drive; AI Economy Math: A new Bain & Company estimate says AI infrastructure spending could reach $1.5T by 2031 and that the industry may need about $6T in annual revenue to justify the buildout, with much of the growth tied to search, ads, autonomous systems, and enterprise productivity; Food Safety Recall: PepsiCo recalled about 122,021 cases of Gatorade Lemon Lime and Orange (plus zero versions) across 37 states after FDA flagged undeclared Yellow No. 5/6; Local Tech/Innovation Angle: Chick-fil-A says it won’t use AI to take drive-thru orders, aiming to keep “human to human” service even as rivals roll out automated ordering.

AI & Data Centers: Trump defended Ohio’s data-center buildout at a Vandalia rally, warning projects could “go to China” if blocked, while also backing light-touch AI regulation via a White House accord that leans on company self-policing plus external auditing. Biopharma in Ohio: Bayer says it will invest about $2.2B in a New Albany plant for active ingredients and finished meds, creating roughly 600 jobs. Healthcare Access: A Nationwide Children’s Hospital-led Medicaid study finds pediatric sleep testing for conditions like sleep apnea varies wildly by location—up to fourfold—raising equity concerns. Public Health Travel Risk: Radon levels are rising in several popular destinations, with new testing and mapping highlighting where visitors may face higher exposure. Policy & Tech Governance: Ohio schools are rolling out mandatory AI policies, while national debate continues over how to regulate AI and protect students. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Kroger reopened its Englewood Marketplace after a $1.5M renovation, adding new digital tech and checkout capacity. Ohio Tech Economy: Youngstown Technology Park broke ground, signaling continued investment in advanced manufacturing and workforce development.

AI Regulation: Trump signed a “morally binding” AI accord with tech leaders that favors light-touch oversight, pushing companies toward internal safety controls plus outside auditing, while the FTC plans to demand documents and testimony. Ohio Pharma Jobs: Bayer will invest $2.2B in a new New Albany manufacturing site, targeting cancer, heart and kidney medicines, with about 600 jobs and production starting in 2031. Ohio Tech & Public Safety: Regional dispatch centers won Ohio’s 2026 Technology Leadership Award for building integrated Computer Aided Dispatch systems that let agencies share incident info faster across jurisdictions. STEM Workforce: Youngstown State hosted Manufacturing Day where students used collaborative robots to learn basic automation skills. Health Policy Watch: An ACA marketplace study finds Ohio plan selections down 19.5% in 2026 and premiums up 19.7% nationwide, with fewer people choosing exchange coverage. Local Environment: Solon is creating a “mini-forest” by planting 1,000+ native trees and shrubs on a vacant site to boost canopy and future park space.

Medical & Public Health: A Cornell University sexual assault investigation has been reopened, putting ketamine (“Special K”) back in the spotlight; the drug is a dissociative anesthetic that affects NMDA receptors and can cause “disconnected” states, hallucinations, and unconsciousness. Cancer Care: The FDA approved pirtobrutinib (Pirtobrutinib) for frontline CLL/SLL, expanding treatment options for patients who may receive only one or two therapy lines. Ohio Tech & AI Education: A new Ohio student nonprofit, Students for AI Literacy (SAIL), has grown from a school club into an international network teaching safe AI use and misinformation awareness. Data Centers & Local Power: Amazon’s data-center push is colliding with community backlash over electricity and water demands, while Ohio voters face a wave of local data-center ballot measures and “right-to-compute” policy debates. Ohio Law & Safety: Gov. DeWine signed House Bill 519 to target electronic car-theft devices, raising penalties as vehicle theft tactics evolve. STEM in Ohio: WACO in Troy is launching a NASA-designed “Fun with Flight” program for preschoolers, and local groups are using National Manufacturing Day to bring additive manufacturing and drone tech to students.

Biomanufacturing in Ohio: Bayer will invest $2.2B in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing site in New Albany, aiming to create about 600 jobs plus 1,500 construction roles, with drug substance and drug product production on a modular campus using advanced digital and automation tech. Health equity via telehealth: A new study highlights who’s least likely to get autologous stem cell transplants—older patients, Black patients, and people from lower-socioeconomic areas, including rural Appalachia—and suggests virtual specialist consults could reduce geographic and access barriers. AI in the auto shop: Ford is rolling out AI “second set of eyes” guidance for dealer technicians, with Rockwell Automation reporting training time cut from nine months to three. Water infrastructure deal: HydroEdge Solutions acquired majority interest in RES Water, building a full-cycle water management platform across the Marcellus/Utica tri-state region. STEM education push: America Makes’ National Manufacturing Day at Mahoning Valley Career & Technical Center featured a 3D-printing-for-drones design/build/fly experience for students. Coral protection research: Beneficial bacteria treatments prevented reef corals from bleaching during a Red Sea heat wave, with heat-killed options also showing promise. Ohio higher-ed data sharing: OSU and Ohio University are expanding how they use NSSE survey results, moving from raw data toward campus dashboards and department-level reporting. Local politics (District 52–54): Candidate profiles spotlight healthcare cost and rural hospital sustainability, public school funding and property tax relief, and workforce/trades priorities.

Nuclear Power Deal: South Korea and the U.S. are in talks to inject $10B this year into a major U.S. nuclear reactor effort, tied to a broader plan to build eight reactors, even as viability reviews continue. Ohio Additive Manufacturing: Fives AddUp says it will bring U.S. manufacturing for its FormUp 750 laser powder bed fusion platform to Hebron, starting in 2027. AI + Data Centers in Ohio Politics: Trenton, Ohio, is weighing financial steps tied to a Nov. 3 vote that would block data centers above 25 megawatts, as lawmakers elsewhere debate ratepayer protections. Cleveland Street Medicine: MetroHealth won a $2.5M federal grant to expand street-medicine training for residents across Cuyahoga County. Cyber/Privacy + Courts: A federal appeals court revived a class action over the Columbus cyberattack, while Ohio courts also highlight virtual self-help centers for access to justice. Public Safety Tech: Ohio’s tax department warns of AI-generated property tax scam videos targeting seniors. Health Research: Case Western Reserve researchers mapped hundreds of new hair cells in squid, offering fresh clues for human hearing loss.

Ohio Higher-Ed Data Dashboards: Ohio State and Ohio University are pushing student-engagement survey data into campus-wide dashboards, aiming to turn NSSE results into department-level reports and better support for assessment and reaccreditation. Cybersecurity & Courts: A Columbus ransomware class action can proceed after an appeals court revived claims that the city mishandled security and delayed fixes. AI in Health Care: In six states including Ohio, Medicare’s WISeR prior-authorization model routes some Original Medicare requests through state-run AI vendor screening—raising new questions about denials and patient access. Nuclear + Power for AI: Microsoft’s deal to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1 underscores the race to supply steady electricity for AI data centers, while lawmakers fight over whether data centers should pay more for grid upgrades. Environment & Water: Ohio is marking Stormwater Awareness Week, spotlighting engineering fixes like bioretention and detention basins to cut runoff pollution. PFAS Litigation: PFAS turnout-gear lawsuits keep expanding, with more public fire agencies suing major manufacturers including 3M and DuPont. Ohio Tech Policy: Aurora advanced electric bike rules, setting speed limits, sidewalk bans for class 3 bikes, and helmet requirements for younger riders.

Ohio University Data Dashboards: Ohio University is making NSSE results easier to use across campus with interactive Tableau dashboards, filters for groups like Pell and first-gen students, and plans to merge NSSE with other campus data for better assessment. Ohio State Research & Biology: OSU researchers report how a key gene-regulating protein (linker histone H1) needs a chaperone to reach its DNA target, using single-molecule experiments to clarify the mechanism. Climate & Ice-Age Timeline: OSU-linked polar research finds ancient ice in Tibet that may extend the last ice age record by 100,000+ years, using radioactive markers to date the layers. Public Health Watch: Wood County confirmed a measles case in Bowling Green and listed multiple exposure sites tied to BGSU, a restaurant, and local clinics—urging people to check immunity and watch symptoms. Privacy & Surveillance: A new Ohio-focused explainer revisits how Flock license-plate cameras work beyond “stolen car” alerts, raising concerns about searchable movement records. Energy & Policy: Ohio’s Bernie Moreno and Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin push a bill to permanently ban Chinese-connected internet vehicles, but Senate action is delayed pending negotiations. Local Tech/Infrastructure: ODOT and the Ohio Turnpike Commission released the final feasibility report for a U.S. 23–I-71 connector north of Columbus, including corridor options, costs, and tolling models.

AI Policy & Politics: Trump doubles down against stricter AI guardrails, urging the term “artificial intelligence” be replaced with “superintelligence,” while Democrats argue the GOP’s approach is “toothless” as data centers drive higher power bills. Ohio Tech & Public Safety: Lake County adds AI to emergency medical dispatch, moving from sampling to reviewing 100% of calls and generating performance reports for supervisors. Health Tech & Research: Ohio State researchers and VA advocates push for independent psychedelic research to complement federal psilocybin studies for veterans. Higher Ed Data Use: Ohio State and Ohio University expand how they share National Survey of Student Engagement results, aiming to merge survey data with other campus metrics for better assessment. Manufacturing & Batteries: GM and LG’s Ultium Cells plans to retool Spring Hill, Tennessee for prismatic LMR battery cells, while Ohio’s Youngstown Technology Park breaks ground and expands advanced manufacturing space. Local Business & Finance: Peoples Bancorp’s deal to buy Capital Bancorp pushes it past the $10B-asset mark, with a 2027 close expected. Community & Fraud: Delaware County indicts a former food pantry co-director accused of stealing at least $37,500.

AI & Policy: President Trump says major AI firms signed a voluntary “self-police” accord with internal and external reviews, even as OpenAI pauses training its latest model amid concerns about rogue AI. Ohio Tech Law: Ohio’s HB 251 now requires law enforcement to get a search warrant before using drones for surveillance, with added limits on UAVs from foreign-adversary countries. Drones & Business Growth: ZenaTech reported steep revenue gains—up 316% in Q2 and 425% for the first half—driven largely by its Drone as a Service push. Public Health Tech: OSU-led research finds CGM hypoglycemia alerts in ICUs can reliably flag impending lows and prompt action without adding much alarm burden. STEM & Workforce: Google is backing a transition program for 25,000 veterans into skilled trades as data centers expand, while Ohio’s Youngstown Technology Park breaks ground for light and advanced manufacturing. Campus Data Use: Ohio University, OSU, UC, and Dayton are reshaping how student engagement survey data is shared across departments, aiming to make results easier to use for decisions.

Data Centers & Ohio Housing: Ohio’s data-center surge is reshaping local debates over power, water, and neighborhood character, even as early research hasn’t shown a clear hit to home values; the state added 25 facilities from 2025 to 2026, with Licking County’s count jumping from 16 to 34. Policy Push on Utility Costs: The Senate is set to consider the Ratepayer Protection Act, aimed at curbing higher bills tied to AI-driven data-center demand—an issue that’s become a midterm flashpoint, including in Ohio politics. Cybersecurity in Ohio Courts: An appeals court revived a class-action over the 2024 Columbus ransomware attack, ruling the city could face negligence claims tied to its IT systems. Emergency Tech Upgrade: Adams County went live on Next Generation 911, moving to a cloud-native system that supports richer caller info like text and media. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: Adams County students visited the Science Alliance in Piketon, while Ohio universities highlighted how they use engagement surveys and dashboards to improve student support. Tech, Regulation & AI Safety: State AGs warned the SEC that major ratings firms still promote ESG via downgrades, and lawmakers are pressing for AI safeguards as AI threats and governance questions intensify. Healthcare Innovation: New trial results show zilucoplan delivered via a pre-filled autoinjector is bioequivalent and effectively self-administered for myasthenia gravis. Local Connectivity Fight: Omni Fiber sued Stow, alleging permit denials blocked its fiber build despite a court-mediated agreement.

Grid Upgrade: Ohio is set to receive a $273 million federal grant to modernize its electric grid, with $137 million aimed at boosting transmission capacity and adding the equivalent of 5,820 megawatts. Passenger Rail: Toledo will host RailNation Toledo (Oct. 2–4), a national conference on passenger rail’s economic impact and a proposed connected Midwest corridor. Data Centers & Politics: Big Tech and private equity are teaming with building trades unions to push data-center standards in multiple states and head off local construction freezes. Campus Tech & Data Use: Ohio universities are getting more serious about using student engagement survey results—UC is expanding one-stop services and lab access, Ohio University is building interactive Tableau dashboards, and Ohio State is planning to merge survey data with other campus datasets. Public Health: Infant mortality in Ohio is improving but still trails the national rate, with stark racial gaps. Local Infrastructure: Athens is rebuilding sidewalks to improve ADA access using CDBG funding. Policy Watch: Ohio lawmakers are preparing votes on a 90-day gas tax suspension, with funding coming from general revenue rather than ODOT money.

Ohio Higher Ed Data Use: Ohio State, Ohio University, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Youngstown State are pushing to make student-engagement survey results (NSSE) more usable—building dashboards, sharing reports by college and department, and combining NSSE with other campus data to guide staffing, curriculum, and student success. School Safety & Health: Nationwide Children’s and the Central Ohio Poison Center report a sharp rise in intentional substance exposures at school among younger kids, with elementary and middle-school rates climbing fast from 2000 to 2024. AI in Ohio Schools: Central Ohio districts are rolling out the state’s AI policy in different ways, from Hilliard’s AI readiness framework to classroom uses in Columbus. Medicaid Work Rules: As Medicaid work requirements begin, some states are demanding medical documentation sooner than federal rules say, raising access concerns for people who can’t afford care. Data Centers & Secrecy: Ohio lawmakers back a bill to ban government NDAs that block public discussion of data center deals, as communities push back on AI infrastructure. Ohio Tech/Industry: Prism Controls plans to double capacity near Lowell, while Bright Uro expands manufacturing for a bladder diagnostic device; Ohio also weighs biodiesel tax credits to grow renewable fuel. Connectivity: Verizon’s copper retirement plan in Ohio faces extra FCC review after being pulled from expedited approval.

Data Centers & PFAS Cooling: A new push to replace water-heavy cooling with PFAS-linked immersion systems is colliding with “forever chemicals” concerns, as AI builds drive PFAS producers to expand capacity. Energy Policy: Ohio Sen. Jon Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act would require large electricity users like data centers to help pay for grid upgrades, aiming to stop cost-shifting to families and small businesses. Local Health Tech & Care Access: Nationwide Children’s plans a 215,000-square-foot pediatric outpatient center in New Albany, while Ohio State research finds people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are less likely to be evaluated—and nearly 40% less likely to receive—kidney transplants. Space & STEM in Ohio: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman says Ohio has a “good shot” to host a new U.S. Space Academy, with proposals due Oct. 26. Higher Ed Data Use: Ohio universities are sharing student engagement survey results through more accessible dashboards and campus reporting, including Ohio University, UC, and OSU’s NSSE data integration efforts. Healthcare Innovation: OhioHealth’s Dr. Stephen Berling performed a newly available thumb arthritis procedure using a specialized implant to shorten recovery. Education & Community: Ohio’s Governor’s Healthy Aging summit highlighted how emerging technologies can support an age-friendly state.

Ohio Tech & Education: Ohio University, Ohio State, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Youngstown State are rolling out new ways to use National Survey of Student Engagement results—building interactive dashboards, merging NSSE with other campus data, and tailoring reports for departments to improve student engagement and readiness. Local Surveillance: Columbus paused its Flock Safety license plate reader cameras during an investigation into alleged officer misuse, but hundreds of similar cameras still operate across central Ohio, keeping privacy concerns front and center. AI Workforce Readiness: A Battelle study finds a mismatch between what employers expect from AI-ready workers and what educators think they’re teaching, pushing schools toward more practical human-skill training. Energy & Infrastructure: Miami County leaders face pushback on a proposed high-voltage Grid Growth transmission project, as officials weigh reliability gains against local impacts. Ohio Economy & Housing: Zillow data shows Gallia County’s typical home value rose to $175,571 in August 2026. STEM & Research: Researchers report an ancient continental crust fragment hidden beneath East Antarctic ice, using satellite gravity and seismic data. Business & Risk: Pulse Biosciences faces investor skepticism over valuation versus execution and pending clinical/regulatory milestones. Public Safety: A 12-year-old was charged after a gun was found in a backpack at West Clermont Middle School.