Blazing Academy is partnering with InnoPower to teach 1,000 people in Indiana how to use AI to grow their business.

John Qualls, the Executive Director of Blazing Academy, says he fell in love with tech after leaving the Marine Corps. “I’ve been involved in technology ever since.” After creating several startups, Qualls wanted to focus on bringing AI literacy to underserved communities throughout Central Indiana.  

Qualls says it’s never too late to learn how to use AI; the technology is only in its infant stages. He says more people need to learn to use the technology to compete, innovate, and grow.

The plan is for Blazing Academy to train 50 master trainers, who will each educate 20 people, ensuring that by July 31, 2025, 1,000 Hoosiers will have critical AI skills. Qualls says the technology will unleash a new wave of productivity and creativity.   

Qualls says it’s important for users to learn how to properly use AI. He says currently, many people treat the tool the same way they use Google, giving it simplistic questions and prompts. “You don’t have to be technical. Just have a conversation.” “It almost feels like magic sometimes.” 

As more of the baby boomer generation continues to retire at record rates, Qualls says we will enter a workforce deficit, and AI can help close that gap.